How earlier to feed?

[Zante]

If I want to feed a hive to have the colony nice and strong for when an early crop is expected, say mid april, when should one start feeding pollen and syrup? Would it have to be thin syrup to simulate nectar?

 

[sipa]

Start feeding protein from the end of February.

 

[MartinL]

For the colony to build HM needs space to lay!

 

[Jimy Dee]

Varroa should be well treated also, because all the feeding in the world will not allow a hive build up if infested with varroa.

 

[madasafish]

If you want an early start, you need bees to be strong before feeding. So insulate.

 

[oliver90owner]

If you have no colonies yet, forget your idea. Learn to keep bees before trying to run, figuratively speaking.

 

[Zante]

If you have no colonies yet, forget your idea. Learn to keep bees before trying to run, figuratively speaking.

Not planning to do anything of the sort yet, but when a question pops into my mind I need it satisfied, or it will bug me until the next one replaces it, that's all.

 

[oliver90owner]

Next time, draw a time line and fill in colony population wrt time. It would all become clear in a couple of minutes if you know the brood cycle for the honeybee.