Help me with new hive

[LocustHoney]

I have two new hives that I bought and I was wandering if I should feed them right away? If not, then when should I feed them??? Can someone please tell me if I can save the sugar solution in a milk jug or some type of container???

[pdmattox]

Welcome to the forum, here is my 2 cents:
I don't think you should feed them if they are established hives with stores, spring is here and you should have enough forage for them.  If it is a package then yes you should feed them and the sugar syrup can go in a milk jug or the likes.  Keep it out of the direct sun. 
 

[Stingtarget]

I don't know which part of NC you are in but with such a mild winter here in Western NC- temps in the 60's through January - I chose to feed my two established hives 2 gallons of syrup the first part of this month.  The mild winter caused the bees to be more active and they went through their stores more quickly than normal.  Now for the past two days the temps have been below normal again but they are supposed to rebound this week.  I'll not feed anymore.  They were bringing in a bright yellow pollen last week...not sure what it is.  They will be raising brood fairly quickly now.  If pollen is coming in and they have a small amount of capped honey from last year then I wouldn't feed.  Really depends on your location and what's blooming in your area.  Someone with more experience may offer some better input.

[beemaster]

Here is a site I find handy www.pollen.com and although it is not really directly related to beekeeping, you can surely see the help it can be when trying to identify pollen sources. Hope it helps :)
If notable pollen (allergy relate) is in your area (enter zipcode) it will list the trees and plants on the page with links to greater info on the sources. If no link is present, pollen levels are low and a flow may not be heavy enough to trigger a list.

[Michael Bush]

Anytime a hive is light, feeding is appropriate.  If there was a flow it wouldn't be light.  :)  Lift it from the back.  You can put syrup in any container you'd put food in.  If you would consider water drinkable after you put it in that container, it will work to store syrup.

[Stingtarget]

Thanks John,

You're right, the site itself (pollen.com) isn't geared toward beekeeping but it is an excellent resource.  Even gives a bar graph showing anticipated pollen count levels over the next 4 days.  I feel better educated knowing what kind of pollen the bees are bringing in!