How many bees are good to have now?

[iand]

If it were me I would answer "having lost colonies through starvation because they became isolated from sound available stores the addition of fondant as a centrally located additional energy reserve is a pragmatic additional precaution especially when you have a low number colonies and / or colony loss would cause a significant set back"

If you add to that a very warm autumn/early winter in some parts then the likelyhood of increased activity and a faster burn of stores increases the chance of later isolation/starvation. Best act now.

My thoughts entirely, in relation to a batch of 6 nucs I'am wintering. Thought they were a bit light put some fondant on above the crown board. When I do the OA then I will heft & weigh up the situation regards bees nos food etc. If leaving fondant on then it will go directly onto the frames. If they are short of bees then the cluster can form virtually in the fondant. Then apart from checking fondant levels now & again. Thats all that can be done. By the sound of it yours have plenty of food, try not to worry too much. Hey they need to make a bit of room for brood rearing come spring. While they do that go knock a few nails in frames or somthing.
ian

 

[richardbees]

If they are short of bees then the cluster can form virtually in the fondant

.....I'm always receptive to new ideas....and it is the festive season!

 

[iand]

You have not experienced a small cluster of bees right at the top of the frames feeding, virtually camping out under a fondant roof. Very often end up being terminal but saved a few like that.

 

[richardbees]

to be honest....no

 

[iand]

Ive not used fondant much all the time I have kept bees so I'm just learning on that, but the bit we have used it and especially now commercially has been basically on basket cases. More in hope than anything else. This year with my own I'm just trying to be a bit proactive.

 

[Andy Duff]

Serious hat on for once.

Our Carniolan's numbers drop to an alarming level during winter. Their tendency to come out during awful weather en mass is also worrying, but that is their nature. We just keep feeding them fondant to give them something to do and sweep away the dead from in front of the hives. It's December and its nice to still be working with bees. All you can do is try your best, give them a fighting chance, keep your fingers crossed and if you make a mistake learn from it.

If you have done the above and you loose a colony, take solace in the fact that it's natural selection and your bees had the wrong genes to survive.