Fondant - how much do they use?

[Stedic]

Very much a beginners question - so excuse my lack of knowledge.

I want to order some fondant for the winter, just in case my 2 hives and one nuc start getting light for whatever reason. I'm happy with the various ideas for how to feed it to them.

What I don't know is - how much do they tend to take? I have absolutely no idea so I don't know how much to order. I guess I'd like a weeks supply for each hive, which would allow me time to order more if I start using it.

Is that 500g per hive? 1kg? I appreciate that different hives will consume different amounts and I can order some to cover that if they start using it. I'd just like a rough idea of how much they consume or how much you'd have available as an emergency feed.

Thanks for your guidance.

 

[enrico]

The simple way is to buy a big box. .usually .12.5 kg
Cut it into 1 kilo or less and refill if they use it.
Fondant keeps well. If you give them too much it is a waste as they WILL store it. It should only be used as an emergency feed if you give syrup as an autumn feed.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

A 12.5 kilo block of baker's fondant should be sufficient for three hives - most years

 

[drex]

And wrapped up well in its plastic will keep OK until next year, if any is left over.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

or the year after that, or longer.
got a stack of fondant blocks in an outbuilding, in the original packaging, some of it four or five years old, and it's still fine.
I think the natural dampness in the shed ensures it won't dry out - the opposite if anything