Bee farmers ahoy ;)

[Beecat]

Is this the sort of thing you are talking about?

https://youtu.be/QVbjkgranmQ?t=23

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

No, just change 3/4 a year or the lot on a dead out. I also change a few when making up nuc's to overwinter, give them foundation and a lot of syrup.

 

[TooBee...]

... not being familiar at all with other bee forurms, could anyone suggest another forum, instead of this one, in which I could read alternative views to ours?

I always try and seek out contradictory views to my own, it's easier to try and disprove one's believes than prove them, falls into the school of Fallibilism.

 

[Erichalfbee]

... not being familiar at all with other bee forurms, could anyone suggest another forum, instead of this one, in which I could read alternative views to ours?

I always try and seek out contradictory views to my own, it's easier to try and disprove one's believes than prove them, falls into the school of Fallibilism.

You could try BBKA who are now on Facebook
Scottish beekeeping forum is a good one
Beesource is worth a look at https://www.beesource.com/forums/

 

[TooBee...]

Thanks, don't do facebook, but will now make an exception...

 

[TooBee...]

...don't do facebook, but ...

my goodness, it's like being in a pub, in which too many pints have been served...

 

[roche]

Judging from the look of it, I really wouldn't bother...

 

[mickbees23]

Shook swarm seems to be the fashion at the moment. I took ownership of 5 colonies last year that looked like they hadn't had new foundation for about 5 years. I had to crowbar some of the frames out and the comb was jet black. One had a dummy board with woodworm they were so old. What I did notice was how healthy the bees were, no sign of varroa damage to bees, no brood disease, brood wall to wall. They were on solid floors as well and the floors were clean as a whistle. Comb change may be more benefit to beekeepers than to bees.

 

[Beefriendly]

As I've posted before you only really need to change frames when they get to this stage.

 

[Erichalfbee]

What I did notice was how healthy the bees were, no sign of varroa damage to bees, no brood disease, brood wall to wall. They were on solid floors as well and the floors were clean as a whistle. Comb change may be more benefit to beekeepers than to bees.

One Kevin Mewis, who some of you might have come across uses that criterion to select good bees. Any colony that keeps it's solid floors clean is selected and any that don't are requested.......

 

[Beefriendly]

any that don't are requested.......

Don't you just hate spill chuckers...

 

[justsmith]

What's the best way to get bees to empty out a few frames of brood which have honey/brood in them?

 

[SDM]

What's the best way to get bees to empty out a few frames of brood which have honey/brood in them?

Put them below the brood box with a queen excluder on top. Bruise any capped honey and remove when the brood batches

 

[justsmith]

Do you put a entrance so drones can escape or just wait too the brood hatchs out then brush them out?

 

[SDM]

Do you put a entrance so drones can escape or just wait too the brood hatchs out then brush them out?

I'd just put my drone comb frame below as well and let out any strays on regular inspections. But if your drones are more evenly distributed it might help keep the excluder clear.

 

[Roola]

I'd just put my drone comb frame below as well and let out any strays on regular inspections. But if your drones are more evenly distributed it might help keep the excluder clear.[/QUOTE

A few times I've had a bunch of drones above the QE I've created an upper front entrance by placing an upturned Horsley board on with entrance slide fully open as the crown board.

 

[Anduril]

Sounds like we all do it every year @50.55 https://youtu.be/90dS90NEV0Q

 

[Millet]

Where are you anyway Erica..i miss your helpful comments..

 

[Somerford]

No

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Shes very unwell and taking a backseat