Light hives heads up

[Poly Hive]

Hefted a couple this afternoon and they were surprisingly light.

Fondant going on this week.

Might be a plan to check yours.........just in case?

PH

 

[Erichalfbee]

Found the same hete

 

[Millet]

Good shout PH , folk should not get forgetful, i hear all this talk if fed properly in Autumn why feed now.
I fed all three of mine the same in Autumn two took loads down and one did not so i presumed they already had enough stores, WRONG they are my lightest colony now and need feeding, weird this bee keeping lark at least when i breed British birds i know exactly when they need scran.

 

[Finman]

.
If hives loose their winter stores quickly, they have consumed it in brood rearing.

Our balance hives tell that hives consume about 2 kg per month in autumn.

.
.

 

[Goran]

A.m. ligustica? Due to prolongued brooding?

 

[Finman]

A.m. ligustica? Due to prolongued brooding?

That cannot be the explanation. Italian race is most popular in the world. It cannot eate its winter stores in 2 months.

.

 

[Erichalfbee]

A.m. ligustica? Due to prolongued brooding?

prolonged unseasonably warm weather
No frost here in mid wales till beginning of December and temperatures of 12-25 degrees through November

 

[pargyle]

Judging by the inspection board I don't think mine have stopped brood rearing at all - it has been very very mild on the Costa del Fareham - a bit chilly for the last week but it's nearly 12 degrees again this evening and looking down into the hives through the clear crown boards they are very active on the frames. I hefted a couple and they really are not as heavy as I would like at this time of the year. I shall put the scales on them before the week is out ... I've never had to feed a colony this early before.

 

[Goran]

prolonged unseasonably warm weather
No frost here in mid wales till beginning of December and temperatures of 12-25 degrees through November

Thanks.. Here also were some higher temps than usual, but recently we have light minus temps and day temp around 0-5C. Soon I will do OA trickling and will peak in some ( I live in belief that there is no any brood).. Usually here I start to be " concerned" about food at mid January ( when brooding usually begin), but quite different climate than yours I believe and bees. I am beside inland also a bit " uphill"..

 

[madasafish]

I hefted everything today- hives, nucs and mini nucs. Fed three nucs. Hives seem lightish but ok..Weather lousy since mid October .

 

[nightshade]

.
If hives loose their winter stores quickly, they have consumed it in brood rearing.

Our balance hives tell that hives consume about 2 kg per month in autumn.

.
.

Finman does this mean you can half the 2kg to 1kg approx..for a nuc? Or are there other variables..

I ask because my nucs are still taking in a little brood...

I put 1kg fondant on about 6 weeks ago...none taken two weeks ago...

Should I check monthly?

 

[Finman]

Finman does this mean you can half the 2kg to 1kg approx..for a nuc? Or are there other variables..

I ask because my nucs are still taking in a little brood...

I put 1kg fondant on about 6 weeks ago...none taken two weeks ago...

Should I check monthly?

There are big variation among hives. And your hive or nuc has its own weigh loss.

 

[Wingy]

Going to check on my nuc today. First year with a re queened cast swarm so slow to get going but have been very active until about 2 weeks ago and with the mild weather there was still lots of brood mid October. They have had 6Kg sugar syrup and 2.5Kg fondant so far
Wingy

 

[Gwr]

Checked all my local Welsh bee hives and nucs on Sunday as they were all flying and they were all lighter than they have been before at this time of year - even though they had plenty of stores in October.

As there was plenty of activity and it was 9.5 deg I cracked open 3 of my biggest hives and removed one frame which showed there were quite a lot of brood - again Very unusual here this time of year.

I’ve added plenty of fondant above the crownboard on them all just in case.

It’s been so mild here they are still flying every few days with plenty of pollen coming in but very little nectar locally.

 

[drex]

Not having a go at anybody here, but I am seeing a lot of posts where people are feeding " just in case". Feeding is a balancing act, too much and you risk no space for queen to lay, or even sugar in your honey etc. Too little and you risk losing your bees. Regular hefting, or even better weighing, is the way to monitor, and if this shows a need, then feed.
Would you give regular antibiotics, or leave a tray of Apiguard for example, permanently in your hive " just in case" .

I make sure my bees go into winter with plenty of stores . I run double brood and did not feed at all this winter. My hives are still all nailed to the floor. My nucs may get fondant later if they need it.
However, each to their own.

 

[Wingy]

Just checked in. Under OMF plenty of what appears to be brood cappings so if still brood I know there is not much space for stores. Lifted lid (I have an eke above CB so no need to disturb the brood) and the last block of fondant had gone. Bees were clearing the last traces from the wrapper so just added another 2.5 Kg

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Not having a go at anybody here, but I am seeing a lot of posts where people are feeding " just in case". Feeding is a balancing act, too much and you risk no space for queen to lay, or even sugar in your honey etc. Too little and you risk losing your bees. Regular hefting, or even better weighing, is the way to monitor, and if this shows a need, then feed.
Would you give regular antibiotics, or leave a tray of Apiguard for example, permanently in your hive " just in case" .

I make sure my bees go into winter with plenty of stores . I run double brood and did not feed at all this winter. My hives are still all nailed to the floor. My nucs may get fondant later if they need it.
However, each to their own.

 

[Codford]

For interest/information, I have a pair of Maisemore national poly 14 x 12s (comprising: cedar stand, poly base, brood chamber and wood crown board). Each hive has lost approx 5Kg since 30 Oct. Too early to consider feeding yet...?

[Hives weigh 39.5Kg and 36Kg respectively]

 

[Finman]

For interest/information, I have a pair of Maisemore national poly 14 x 12s (comprising: cedar stand, poly base, brood chamber and wood crown board). Each hive has lost approx 5Kg since 30 Oct. Too early to consider feeding yet...?

[Hives weigh 39.5Kg and 36Kg respectively]

Feeding may encourage more brooding. Then only lack of pollen can stop it.

 

[Eyeman]

For interest/information, I have a pair of Maisemore national poly 14 x 12s (comprising: cedar stand, poly base, brood chamber and wood crown board). Each hive has lost approx 5Kg since 30 Oct. Too early to consider feeding yet...?

[Hives weigh 39.5Kg and 36Kg respectively]

When I last weighed mine on 25/10/17 my poly swienty 14x12's with cedar super and home made pine roof weighted:

99 lbs
108 lbs
126 lbs

This was the heaviest they have been going into winter since records began.

As your weight doesn't include a roof or super then they are fine weight wise.