How quick could a super of honey be consumed?

[tom8400]

Hi all newbie question

Just looked in hive I tend to leave them well alone, they had filled the super above brood box with honey 90% I had put QE above this in case they needed more than the national brood box.

I then put another super on a month ago above the qe which they've not yet touched as I expected being a new colony.

So my question is with this horrid weather, how long would that full super last them? They have become very strong. Or should I feed them?

Thanks in advance

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hi all newbie question

Just looked in hive I tend to leave them well alone, they had filled the super above brood box with honey 90% I had put QE above this in case they needed more than the national brood box.

I then put another super on a month ago above the qe which they've not yet touched as I expected being a new colony.

So my question is with this horrid weather, how long would that full super last them? They have become very strong. Or should I feed them?

Thanks in advance

It depends on how big the colony is, whether it's still brooding significantly ( a few of mine took a break while the weather was bad and pollen income was low) in fact quite a few variables. A rule of thumb is that one brood frame of stores is enough to last a week if they can't get out

 

[drex]

At this time of year, you should be guided by one of the five key questions when inspecting a hive. " do they have enough stores to last until my next inspection" . I would say the answer is yes. How many frames of brood do you have?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I've seen very strong colonies polish off a super in little over a week

 

[tom8400]

To be honest I only lifted the top yesterday as weather was bit iffy, everyone was at home. So I hadn't checked the brood box recently. But I will do when the sun returns. Just don't want them to get hungry, always a lot of activity as soon as it does dry up

 

[enrico]

If the hive was strong and they had nearly a full super I wouldn't be feeding if there was ANY weight left in the super. If it is a weak hive it may be a different story but it is the summer and a normal hive should have no problems surviving.
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