A Feeding Question

[markb2603]

And possibly a silly one at that. Thinking of feeding for comb building. I see a lot of advice to ‘trickle feed’ rather than glug a couple of kilos of syrup on and let them take it down. What do we mean by trickle feed? A litre at a time or 1.5 litres, let them finish it, leave it a few days then repeat? What’s the general practice?

Thanks.

 

[Curly green finger's]

And possibly a silly one at that. Thinking of feeding for comb building. I see a lot of advice to ‘trickle feed’ rather than glug a couple of kilos of syrup on and let them take it down. What do we mean by trickle feed? A litre at a time or 1.5 litres, let them finish it, leave it a few days then repeat? What’s the general practice?

Thanks.

I’m feeding twice a week ruffle 1 litre each time for brood rearing .

Edit : only strong colony’s

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

they'll only build comb when they need it, certainly not in this weather, and if the weather improves - and there is a flow on, they won't need feeding. Another danger is, syrup will get into the honey however hard you try and avoid it.

 

[Curly green finger's]

they'll only build comb when they need it, certainly not in this weather, and if the weather improves - and there is a flow on, they won't need feeding. Another danger is, syrup will get into the honey however hard you try and avoid it.

Not just when they need it there’s just not the bees of the right age to build wax now.
As to feeding small amounts to stimulate the queen to lay it works on strong colony’s without them storing syrup.

 

[pargyle]

As to feeding small amounts to stimulate the queen to lay it works on strong colony’s without them storing syrup.

If you are lucky ... the availabiity of pollen is more important.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Thats why I’ll be adding pollen frames shortly

 

[Erichalfbee]

the availabiity of pollen is more important.

Six weeks before you need the bees on the crop. I tinkered with putting some on a couple of colonies in February for the dandelions but dismissed it. Just as well or I'd be feeding them next month

 

[Curly green finger's]

Six weeks before you need the bees on the crop. I tinkered with putting some on a couple of colonies in February for the dandelions but dismissed it. Just as well or I'd be feeding them next month

Well I’m feeding 38 strong colony’s some will get pollen frames the others home made pollen sub 4/6 weeks prior to a flow.
I’ve tried this since 2021

 

[hemo]

I’m feeding twice a week ruffle 1 litre each time for brood rearing .

Edit : only strong colony’s

Not exactly what the op was asking .

 

[Curly green finger's]

Not exactly what the op was asking .

Nope I know conclusion for the op then - it’s to early for colony’s to build comb, but I’m sure @markb2603 got the jist of the reply’s.