Feeding

[the naked beekeeper]

I have two colonies, one 5 frames strong, one 4 frames strong.

The 5 frames has a couple of frames of brood in all stages and the 4 frames has about 1 1/2 frames.

They have about 2 frames of stores each and each has about 6 frames undrawn.

I have been feeding with a rapid feeder and they've both taken 2kg sugar each. With the ivy flowering now, should I continue feeding in the hope that this will make them draw more foundation for the queen to lay in and for stores?

How many frames of stores should I be looking at having and by when?

I am trying to gauge how much to feed so that they will have enough stores, but also space to lay and they won't just fill the brood chamber up with stores. It's a tricky one being my first season. I want to be safe. But will the ivy flowering help them considerably? There's plenty of it.

 

[jezd]

i think you will find the brood frames as they are now will be enough space for them moving forwards, I should feed as much as possible and let them fill all the outer frames (if in brood boxes)

I had similar discussion yesterday with bee inspector