Colony Losses

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Made me think syrup is harder for them to scent from a distance

they don't scent it full stop, they basically have to fall into it before they realise it's there

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

None lost out of ten hive and ten nuc

bit early to make that kind of assumption, don't even think it until they are properly foraging and you can do a proper inspection.

 

[Sutty]

Add

add a small amount of honey to it first time around they’ll soon find it then

I think it was better without so other bees were less likely to find it!
A bit of honey seems to encourage in-hive feeding though!

 

[Curly green finger's]

I think it was better without so other bees were less likely to find it!
A bit of honey seems to encourage in-hive feeding though!

That depends where your apiary is, other apiary’s in the area and on the weather as to if you get bees from afar feeding.
In all given situations adding honey helps feeding bees

 

[pargyle]

Add

add a small amount of honey to it first time around they’ll soon find it then

Yes and so will every other colony within sniffing distance ....

 

[Brodie]

bit early to make that kind of assumption, don't even think it until they are properly foraging and you can do a proper inspection.

Ok so far then

 

[BeekeeperBob]

A beekeeper told me yesterday that’s he’s put syrup on his colony because the ‘book’ says to do so in March to stimulate the queen to lay….

Why wouldn't you?
We actually have a flow on here already. Whilst it may be small, hives are stacking open nectar and drawing comb. Can't see why syrup would be any different. We have been feeding syrup since Feb for years with no problems.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Why wouldn't you?

why would you?

 

[BeekeeperBob]

why would you?

Spring build up, instant food, water, comb building.

Now your turn, why wouldn't you

 

[SWEET]

Spring build up, instant food, water, comb building.

Now your turn, why wouldn't you

And protein from the brood?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Spring build up, instant food, water, comb building.

Now your turn, why wouldn't you

because in most circumstances there's no need, of course if you are happy following the BBKA beekeeping by numbers manual, fair enough

 

[BeekeeperBob]

because in most circumstances there's no need, of course if you are happy following the BBKA beekeeping by numbers manual, fair enough

You know I have never been to any bbka meetings whatsoever. Though perhaps you should?

But I bet when I take my colonies to the OSR in a month's time they will be bigger, and will already be on a fresh set of combs whilst yours won't and my bucs will be ready to be split in April, whilst yours will still be chewing on fondant.

I'm fact we never feed fondant. We liquid feed all year round when needed. Let me k ow where it says to do that in anything g the bbka have written?

But you still haven't given any reasons why it's a bad idea. I wonder why?

 

[BeekeeperBob]

And protein from the brood?

The forage that themselves, have healthy bee bread in the stores and carry it in their overwintered bees themselves.

It's one of the reasons we choose our overwintered sites that have Hazel and willow.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

whilst yours will still be chewing on fondant.

I wonder where they will get the fondant from? It won't be from me.

Bit like feeding trolls really - I try not to do it.

 

[BeekeeperBob]

I wonder where they will get the fondant from? It won't be from me.

Bit like feeding trolls really - I try not to do it.

Still can't think of any good reasons not too?

Well there we go. There was me thinking you had a point to make. But it seems you was just seeking education.

Well, there's a first for everything I suppose.

 

[beeker]

Am I alone in thinking this isn't going to end well

 

[Penninetrader]

So we are right back to the ask 5 beeks for an opinion. Newbies should take great note of these differing views then watch your girls closely and take guidance from them, they are way smarter than any of us.

 

[SWEET]

The forage that themselves, have healthy bee bread in the stores and carry it in their overwintered bees themselves.

It's one of the reasons we choose our overwintered sites that have Hazel and willow.

Interesting; when I start drone rearing in the next few weeks i'll be feeding vast amounts of protein, the winter bees have used their fuel and dying off and the stores are long gone or perished. Long way from the bees dragging in tons of pollen here and also too cold for foraging (again).

Seeing as you're firing up brood production using syrup and brood rearing burns through vast amounts of pollen I was wondering what else you were feeding, you can only load the box with so much stores before the winter (6 months ago now).

Ref pic of the amount of pollen we get here (in a few hours) but way off that -

 

[BeekeeperBob]

Interesting; when I start drone rearing in the next few weeks i'll be feeding vast amounts of protein, the winter bees have used their fuel and dying off and the stores are long gone or perished. Long way from the bees dragging in tons of pollen here and also too cold for foraging (again).

Seeing as you're firing up brood production using syrup and brood rearing burns through vast amounts of pollen I was wondering what else you were feeding, you can only load the box with so much stores before the winter (6 months ago now).

Ref pic of the amount of pollen we get here (in a few hours) but way off that -

View attachment 42235

We have Hazel, blackthorn, willow and gorse yeilding pollen here.

Only the small colonies are not bundling it in at the moment. But then they only have a frame or two of brood to feed.

Most colonies have a good frame of fresh pollen

 

[Sutty]

i'll be feeding vast amounts of protein

What sort of protein?
Stored pollen, soya, yeast, etc?