Forecast

[Poly Hive]

The weather here over the last week has been poor to say the least with snow showers, sleet and highs of 5C. The forward prediction is highs of 10 at best for the next 13 days.

I went round and fed yesterday, and some had consumed a couple of kilos in the last 10 days.

PH

 

[GuyNir]

Same here. Though my hives aren’t consuming fondant at that rate... are those double brood?

 

[Curly green fingers]

We have had similar weather a covering of snow last night , all my hives now have fondant at all three apairys I'm of to the bakers to get more this week, the reversible perspex crown boards are proving to be very useful.

 

[Poly Hive]

The ones eating the most are on DB yes.

PH

 

[Ian123]

Warm in the sun down my way and bees bringing in loads of pollen, theres a huge difference in activity between those in full sun and those in more shade.

 

[fatshark]

And don't forget to strap everything down later today as they're predicting 50+mph winds in the North at least.

 

[mike99]

And don't forget to strap everything down later today as they're predicting 50+mph winds in the North at least.

It is sunny in the North east but cold due to the wind. However even that is starting to calm down.
I have checked and they seem to be munching on the new fondant I have given them.

 

[madasafish]

And don't forget to strap everything down later today as they're predicting 50+mph winds in the North at least.

After one incident with a topbar hive blown over (wind caught the hinged roof under the open side which acted like a sail) , I strap everything down securely.

We've had snow ,sun and lots of rain in the past two days and expect more the the same - minus the sun!- in the next week.

No fondant here except for nucs- main hives still heavy but pollen patties. Lots of pollen around soon but appalling weather means little access:- bees all out in droves in today's sun : one colony appeared to have 8 jumbo frames of bees from a peek through the clear crownboard..

 

[birdsandbees]

I was sowing seeds in the greenhouse yesterday afternoon and felt the temperature drop like a stone! sleet and snow followed!

I did top up the fondant on the Nucs and some of the hives as well but it seems that I'm doing it all wrong according to Facebook this morning

Those of us feeding Fondant to colonies that have expanded a lot after the warm spell and eaten most of their stores will all end up with Fondant Honey when the flow starts... apparently.

 

[Ian123]

Go on b&b give the details

 

[birdsandbees]

Go on b&b give the details

Oh no major drama, a lot of what was said makes perfect sense regarding overfeeding = no space for the queen to lay and that stores in the brood box could be moved up into supers when the time comes, that we shouldn't have to feed at all if we had ensured that they had sufficient stores going into winter.
As I say makes sense to a degree but with the mild winter and super warm February a lot of folks have found that the colonies have expanded early and have depleted stores, I can now imagine people reporting that their bees have starved ahead of the Spring flow as they totally stopped feeding.

 

[Ian123]

They must live in the perfect beekeeping utopia.....simple feed if they need it, most important thing is to be on the ball enough to realise when they do

 

[Curly green fingers]

Can I ask which Facebook site?
I don't know why I ask because I very rarely go on .
I'm sick of seeing what my brother is having for breakfast .

 

[Ian123]

Am guessing it’s the bbka 1 but I may be wrong

 

[Poly Hive]

Utter rubbish so probably yes the usual idiots.

PH

 

[The Poot in Somerset]

The ones eating the most are on DB yes.

PH

That infers if you DB through the Winter, the bees maintain a larger number of bees and so the extra space is not such an issue?
Mine went into Winter on DB plus a super and I was worried at feedback from Beeks about temperature regulation - too much space.
I reckon the cluster towards the top of the hive actually benefit from the extra space as they are largely shielded from droughts?
So far I have three robust colonies that, like yours are getting through lots of fondant.
What are your thoughts about limiting space for Wintering bees?

 

[Beefriendly]

I was worried at feedback from Beeks about temperature regulation - too much space.
What are your thoughts about limiting space for Wintering bees?

Bees have survived winters within wooden hives with a constant through draft of cold air caused by the bad advice of propping crown boards open with with matchsticks. They are born survivors, although more hives and bees will overwinter and survive with a little insulation.
Space IMHO is not a big issue it's the internal part of the cluster the bees are keeping warm, not the hive. The hive's insulation (or lack of) just regulates how fast any heat lost from the cluster leaves the hive.
I use an empty poly super as an eke for hives every winter when feeding fondant (with a poly crown board and roof above) and see no problems...even with last years beast from the east. Energetically they might be marginally better off with a poly eke vs the extra empty space in a full super; but to all practical intents and purposes I don't think it makes a big difference.

 

[Repwoc]

Space IMHO is not a big issue it's the internal part of the cluster the bees are keeping warm, not the hive. The hive's insulation (or lack of) just regulates how fast any heat lost from the cluster leaves the hive.

And the temperature of the air surrounding the cluster (ie in the hive) will determine the rate of heat loss from the cluster. So to minimise heat loss from the cluster, the air should be warm, which in turn implies that they do need to heat the hive space.

 

[Beefriendly]

And the temperature of the air surrounding the cluster (ie in the hive) will determine the rate of heat loss from the cluster. So to minimise heat loss from the cluster, the air should be warm, which in turn implies that they do need to heat the hive space.

You might lose a few extra calories or KJ with extra space. The important bit is that it has no practical significance to the bees. But non of it is relevant if you are using open mesh floor; as you are doing the equivalent of matchsticks and crown boards. Are you overwintering on open mesh floors with the inserts out?
You don't build houses without floors just because heat rises.

 

[Amari]

The weather here over the last week has been poor to say the least with snow showers, sleet and highs of 5C. The forward prediction is highs of 10 at best for the next 13 days.
I went round and fed yesterday, and some had consumed a couple of kilos in the last 10 days.
PH[/QUOTE

Windy and cold here for last few days and forecast to continue: what a waste of lovely pussy willow in full bloom but not a bee to be seen. On warm days in previous years the audible buzz under such a willow is as loud as that under a lime in June.