Bees not feeding

[Honey N]

We have a relatively new nuc, with a new queen (mated and laying for the past month). It's quite small with only about 6 frames. We are feeding using a 1:2 solution in a contact feeder, above the crown board but the bees don't seem to be taking it. Our other larger hive has used about 6 pints of solution in the past 2 days ! The bees know its there but just dont seem interested Any ideas ? By the way we are obviously newbies.

 

[Poly Hive]

1:2 is half strength. I think you are saying you are mixing two pounds to a pint?

With them being small they may find it too cold up there.

I would suggest a frame feeder.

PH

 

[Andy Duff]

1:2 is half strength. I think you are saying you are mixing two pounds to a pint?

With them being small they may find it too cold up there.

I would suggest a frame feeder.

PH

Try fondant for a few days then see what they have done with it

 

[itma]

You have them in a full hive?
Is it filled out with foundation, or dummied down and insulated?

 

[ratcatcher]

The bees know its there but just dont seem interested Any ideas ? By the way we are obviously newbies.

did they tell you that????
I'd mix up a 1;1 solution, drizzle a little down the hole in board, can you not pinch a frame or two from your better/bigger hive of stores to give them

 

[Finman]

With them being small they may find it too cold up there.

I think the same. And bees need heat to cap the food. Take off extra ventilation.
.
Look first, do they have space where they store the syrup.

If they have, the hive may be too cold that they start to get syrup.
Close the mesh floor.

You may give some honey in the sucking room, if they start feeding.

You may pour syrup into combs. Then put it into box and the box under that wintering box. Bees are obliged to start syrup handling.

They lift the syrup up.

Start procedure before evening that robbers do not join to the party.

 

[Honey N]

Hi Everyone and thanks for the ideas. Syrup is obviously 2:1 not the other way round. The bees are in a full hive with 7 frames and a dummy board. They resulted from a swam from the first hive on the 27th of July following supersedure of the old Q. 2 of the frames are drawn foundation the others are filled with brood and stores. I have just added a frame feeder to see if that interests them. It's been warm here recently (24 degrees for most of last week) although much cooler over the last 2 days.
I'll see how it goes over the next few days and do a full inspection at the weekend to see how they are doing. My frear is that the colony is just too small to preprea and survive the winter and it may be better to combine them with the other colony.

 

[Poly Hive]

The right strength feed for this time of year is 2:1

1:1 is for the more active season.

PH