Transparent Top Feeder ANEL®

01 · LIQUID AND SOLID IN ONE UNIT

The caps decide which mode you work in

The same unit covers both ways of feeding. The two side entrances are where the bees climb up to drink the syrup; the two central holes, with their caps, are the way through to solid feed. With the caps in, the feeder is liquid-tight and you work with syrup; take them out, lay candi or fondant on top and the bees come up to the patty from below. Switching mode is a matter of two pieces in or out.

02 · WHY TRANSPARENT

You open only the hives that need it

Being transparent is not a whim: it lets you read the syrup level and the state of the hive without uncovering. On a feeding round that is the difference between opening every hive and opening only the ones that need it, with everything that means in time, lost heat and disturbed bees. And when refilling, the syrup goes in from above without disturbing the bees underneath.

03 · IT WORKS AS A CROWN BOARD

Insulation above and moisture out

Beyond feeding, it works as a crown board and reinforces the hive's top insulation. It carries ventilation holes so moisture leaves instead of condensing over the cluster, which is what ruins a wintering. And it is solved for the real case at the apiary: even with the hive tilted, the bees can take all the syrup and no dead pool is left in the high corner.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY

It is for a 10-frame hive: it measures 51 × 42 × 7 cm and weighs 1 kg, so it needs a roof with that 7 cm of clearance. The central caps go missing more easily than you would think — out they come in autumn for the candi, and by February they are nowhere — they are sold separately and it pays to keep a couple spare before the season. And the usual rule: do not feed during the flow if you intend to harvest that honey for sale.