Can I start the autumn feed whilst the queen is still laying?

[PeteL]

My question is in the title. Can I start the autumn feed whilst the queen is still laying? Will there be enough room on the frames for them to lay down the stores?

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

My question is in the title. Can I start the autumn feed whilst the queen is still laying. Will there be enough room on the frames for them to lay down the stored?

Yes, she may not stop all winter

That depends but she should be slowing down laying so any space currently being used for brood should be more than sufficient for what is to come

 

[Cazza]

Yes.
You are getting a wee bit late for feeding syrup but if the weather holds will be o.k.

Cazza

 

[Midland Beek]

Queens might have stopped laying for winter in the 1930's. You need a more up to date beekeeping book.

 

[Poly Hive]

And they dinna stop now? Some certainly do. Some may not.

PH

 

[Into the lions den]

Reply to post #3


Thats a shame..................I have well over 1000 colonies still to give syrup to.........those ones not fed at all yet......and I am at least 2 weeks closer to winter than you are..........syrup taking is currently very rapid here in the 1500 or so already fed.

Seriously though, we can feed syrup for another couple of weeks yet to wooden hives with no serious problems, and another four weeks at least in polystyrenes. Should be even later in the south.

As regards feeding while the queen is still laying.........why not? You could even stimulate a fresh burst of laying.....and more young bees at this time of year generally equates to better wintering and superior spring bee power. Beware 'plugging' them out with stores.

 

[Cazza]

Reply to post #3


Thats a shame..................I have well over 1000 colonies still to give syrup to.........those ones not fed at all yet......and I am at least 2 weeks closer to winter than you are..........syrup taking is currently very rapid here in the 1500 or so already fed.

Seriously though, we can feed syrup for another couple of weeks yet to wooden hives with no serious problems, and another four weeks at least in polystyrenes. Should be even later in the south.
QUOTE]

Do I detect a hint of sarcasm here? You might note that I never said it was in any way too late and I never said I had finished feeding either.
C

 

[Nic Rhodes]

still time to feed, it is early yet

 

[Poly Hive]

I used to feed syrup into November in Aberdeenshire.

So yes there is plenty of time yet, weather depending.

PH

 

[Chris B]

The thicker you make your syrup, the easier/faster bees can take it and store it because there's less evaporation of moisture required. The thickest syrups are those you can buy i.e Ambrosia or equivalent brands, and I reckon you can get away with later feeding with these.

 

[Poly Hive]

PH

 

[PeteL]

Thanks to everyone. Very encouraging!

 

[Into the lions den]

Guilty as charged.......yes.......but I do sometimes like to TRY to be a little humorous..............but of course these kind of things sometimes go astray and are then not construed as meant.

However............you DID say it was 'getting a wee bit late for feeding syrup', of course qualified by the bit about the weather holding. Never mind, the original poser of the question has to read the feedback in the thread and decide for themselves about whatever is said in it, as they are the ones who know their local conditions. Also the condition of their bees for that matter, as that too has a major influence on the feed talking.

 

[greatbritishhoney]

I must admit I have always followed the "must have completed feeding by October" line without really questioning it.

I think there's a gap in the market for a "Beekeeping Myths Exploded" book!

 

[Jeff Buzz]

I think there's a gap in the market for a "Beekeeping Myths Exploded" book![/QUOTE]



like the 3 mile rule I moved 2 hives this week 1.3 miles in direct line of sight and only had around 20 bees return to nucs I left in place of hives.

I think you have to take into account time of year, wind, temperature, what the bees are feeding on along with loads of other stuff.

 

[greatbritishhoney]

"like the 3 mile rule I moved 2 hives this week 1.3 miles in direct line of sight and only had around 20 bees return to nucs I left in place of hives.

I think you have to take into account time of year, wind, temperature, what the bees are feeding on along with loads of other stuff"

Exactly. We live in a fairly steep valley, and I'd be willing to bet that my foragers travel nowhere near 3 miles. I doubt they ever leave the valley.

 

[BeeNice]

I think there's a gap in the market for a "Beekeeping Myths Exploded" book!

like the 3 mile rule I moved 2 hives this week 1.3 miles in direct line of sight and only had around 20 bees return to nucs I left in place of hives.

I think you have to take into account time of year, wind, temperature, what the bees are feeding on along with loads of other stuff.[/QUOTE]

Hi Jeff
If you read enough of these posts, sometimes you will pick up some good advice, I need to move some hives this year only a couple of fields away, leaving a nuc box in place is a great idea. Would you then drop the left over bees back in the hive after a day or so?
regards
Steven

 

[Tom Bick]

We live in a fairly steep valley, and I'd be willing to bet that my foragers travel nowhere near 3 miles. I doubt they ever leave the valley.

What about up to two miles a point that the new forage direction may overlap the old forage distance.

 

[oliver90owner]

What about up to two miles

Or even a mile and a half!

That is why the rule is a virtually 'catch all'. Remember if the 'less than 3 feet' part was 'less than 6 feet', there would likely be idi-ots moving hives to the other side of a high wall and then claiming the rule to be flawed.

I think you have to take into account

Says enough. You do need to think. The rule is for those that cannot, do not or will not.

RAB

 

[Midland Beek]

I think there's a gap in the market for a "Beekeeping Myths Exploded" book!

I think climate change and the widespread importation of different strains of bee have changed beekeeping a great deal in the UK.