Any tips on how best to make increase AND get a honey yield?

[TryingToLetThemBee]

In short basic thermodynamics
1st law you dont get owt for nowt.
2nd law you'll never break even.

Energy must be used in creating brood, that energy cannot go into the honey.
so all you can do is minimise losses and optimise.

However the more distinct operations you add, the more you lose in inefficiencies.

Plus, as I have realised, as you build up, comb is a big energy investment for the bees then in early years the 30% of honey that stays in comb. I have 15-odd National brood-sized supers stored wet so I am hoping to get that back. May be whiffing fermentation fumes in a couple of months; we'll see.

 

[gregior]

I don't think many of the responses are completely relevant.

The OP has not told us when his main honey flow is that he is seeking. In Manchester it may actually be the balsam round all the old waterways, or he might be moving his bees late to the heather on the moors.

Timing is everything, and in the case of late season flows, early splitting MIGHT actually be the way to MAXIMISE your crop. Two colonies peaking can be a lot better than one colony coming off the back of a protracted spell of instability.

So.......more details needed......and happy to advise off forum if wanted.

Do not fuss too much about buying in a queen or two each season as suggested by others. Its not very fashionable on here to say it but it can be very good for the vigour of your stock to maintain a bit of genetic diversity.

Yes sorry I didn't give enough time info. My main aim for honey production this year is comb from the balsam which is a late flow(it peaks mid to late august around here) so I do have time on my side to a certain extent so with a bit of luck I may be able to split early and have them all producing by the time the balsam flow comes .if I AS and put the q+ colonies on single brood with the comb supers above would they be capable of overwintering on a single national brood or would they be short of stores next winter?

 

[bontbee]

It depends on how much the bees eat! Sorry, that sounds facetious, but some bees are more thrifty than others.

Most of mine have overwintered on a single brood, (national) even this mild winter, and still have sufficient, but I am keeping my eye on them now that they are gearing up a bit. I have a couple on doubles and they still have masses of stores. I know of others have lost colonies on brood/brood and a half, even doubles eek from starvation...

 

[jeff33]

It depends on how much the bees eat! Sorry, that sounds facetious, but some bees are more thrifty than others.

Agreed, some species will eat more than others as they can raise bigger brood and have bigger colonies compared to say native black bees. Your own experience and knowledge of your bees should help you decide. Bees in my mother hive are starvers and build quickly so I am feeding them now and will probably split for queen rearing by the middle of May if they are like last summer.

 

[Poly Hive]

A decent colony in a National will need (probably) a good chunk of fondant and please if you are feeding it is NOT an ounce here and a wee ounce there. Put on a good chunk of bakers fondant and use a super with insulation inside it to keep the fondant warm and moist. At least three kilos please.

Buy solid crown boards to avoid being tempted to put a "Drappie" on top.
YOu know that saying about dance as if no one is watching? well her's another line... Feed like you mean it. May well save your bees for you.

Buy a block from your local baker and if the bees leave some well make it into 1:1 syrup. The rest of the block will keep another year well wrapped up.

kiss



PH