Should I breed from a DEAD hive?

[Jimy Dee]

Hello all,

I collected a small cast late last year from a well established feral hive situated in the roof of a local community centre. Being feral I was interested in their survivor gene.

We have had many storms since Christmas and as my bees (2 hives) are in an outyard, during a visit in February I discovered that the wind had blown off the top of the poylnuc and the bees had been exposed to torrential rain for at least a few days. I “knew” they were dead as they consisted of around 2 frames of bees. No open top exposed hive could survive the weather this huc had received. I put no bee suit on and went down and simply put the cover back on. It was very cold with heavy rain on the day so no activity from the other hive and I did not even look into the polynuc.

A few weeks passed and after another storm I was annoyed to see that the top of the polynuc had once more been blown off – together with the heavy stones I had on it. Again it had been exposed to a storm with torrential rain and wind for a few days.

I put on my bee suit to peek under the crown board of the one live hive I had and this time I decided I would put a boulder on top of the polynuc to satisfy myself what was required to keep the cover on it when I next had bees in it. I looked into the dead polynuc and I could see that the internal compartment for feeding syrup was full up to the brim with water - result from days of exposure to extreme weather conditions. On further inspection I saw a small fist of bees in between two combs clinging on for dear life. I gave it fondant and put the cover back - with a big boulder on top!

Now 3 or 4 weeks later, the boulder and roof are still on and the bees from my dead hive are working like the clappers drawing in pollen by the tonne and working harder than my big strong hive.

I intend to breed of this dead hive this year as I am amazed with the survivor ability and work ethic.

I would really appreciate your feed back and guidance on the following please
a. is this unusual for a nuc to survive such a horrid exposure on two occasions as described AND
b. would you breed of this strain (given of course that they are on a par with other hives for docility, non frame running etc)

 

[Dishmop]

Hello all,

I collected a small cast late last year from a well established feral hive situated in the roof of a local community centre. Being feral I was interested in their survivor gene.

We have had many storms since Christmas and as my bees (2 hives) are in an outyard, during a visit in February I discovered that the wind had blown off the top of the poylnuc and the bees had been exposed to torrential rain for at least a few days. I “knew” they were dead as they consisted of around 2 frames of bees. No open top exposed hive could survive the weather this huc had received. I put no bee suit on and went down and simply put the cover back on. It was very cold with heavy rain on the day so no activity from the other hive and I did not even look into the polynuc.

A few weeks passed and after another storm I was annoyed to see that the top of the polynuc had once more been blown off – together with the heavy stones I had on it. Again it had been exposed to a storm with torrential rain and wind for a few days.

I put on my bee suit to peek under the crown board of the one live hive I had and this time I decided I would put a boulder on top of the polynuc to satisfy myself what was required to keep the cover on it when I next had bees in it. I looked into the dead polynuc and I could see that the internal compartment for feeding syrup was full up to the brim with water - result from days of exposure to extreme weather conditions. On further inspection I saw a small fist of bees in between two combs clinging on for dear life. I gave it fondant and put the cover back - with a big boulder on top!

Now 3 or 4 weeks later, the boulder and roof are still on and the bees from my dead hive are working like the clappers drawing in pollen by the tonne and working harder than my big strong hive.

I intend to breed of this dead hive this year as I am amazed with the survivor ability and work ethic.

I would really appreciate your feed back and guidance on the following please
a. is this unusual for a nuc to survive such a horrid exposure on two occasions as described AND
b. would you breed of this strain (given of course that they are on a par with other hives for docility, non frame running etc)

Is there a queen though?

 

[REDWOOD]

They are not out of the woods yet. A good thing is they are in a poly nuc which should keep them warm. would I breed from them..... to early to tell, wait until they get to a full size colony and then decide

 

[drstitson]

as above - is there a queen/brood?

sounds like they'll need supporting in short term - addition of bees and brood from other hives.

some would say best to cut losses. but you'll never know their potential without giving best shot.

 

[alldigging]

First thought: get some straps!

And yes if there's a queen she could be worth creating some new ones from. And she should get a medal for persistance!

 

[HM Honey]

No, coz these bees are obviously a bit thick......they didn't have the common sense to die when everything around them was telling them to.....

Oh, and visit this link

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-pair-Bl...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item53f0aa7072

 

[Jimy Dee]

thanks for the replies.

YES there is a queen as I saw a peek of brood in the hive the other day. I intend to give them food and brood when the weather warms and above all I will never have polynucs again without straps.

I will not breed off this hive until the hive has proven itself later on in the year - great advise. By the time queen cells arrive I should have a much better trial as to how good they are.

 

[REDWOOD]

No, coz these bees are obviously a bit thick......they didn't have the common sense to die when everything around them was telling them to.....

Oh, and visit this link

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-pair-Bl...Home_Garden_PowerTools_SM&hash=item53f0aa7072

Interesting philosophy

 

[Dishmop]

No, coz these bees are obviously a bit thick......they didn't have the common sense to die when everything around them was telling them to.

Must work for the Bank of Scotland.

 

[Mr C]

Hello all,

I collected a small cast late last year from a well established feral hive situated in the roof of a local community centre. Being feral I was interested in their survivor gene.

We have had many storms since Christmas and as my bees (2 hives) are in an outyard, during a visit in February I discovered that the wind had blown off the top of the poylnuc and the bees had been exposed to torrential rain for at least a few days. I “knew” they were dead as they consisted of around 2 frames of bees. No open top exposed hive could survive the weather this huc had received. I put no bee suit on and went down and simply put the cover back on. It was very cold with heavy rain on the day so no activity from the other hive and I did not even look into the polynuc.

A few weeks passed and after another storm I was annoyed to see that the top of the polynuc had once more been blown off – together with the heavy stones I had on it. Again it had been exposed to a storm with torrential rain and wind for a few days.

I put on my bee suit to peek under the crown board of the one live hive I had and this time I decided I would put a boulder on top of the polynuc to satisfy myself what was required to keep the cover on it when I next had bees in it. I looked into the dead polynuc and I could see that the internal compartment for feeding syrup was full up to the brim with water - result from days of exposure to extreme weather conditions. On further inspection I saw a small fist of bees in between two combs clinging on for dear life. I gave it fondant and put the cover back - with a big boulder on top!

Now 3 or 4 weeks later, the boulder and roof are still on and the bees from my dead hive are working like the clappers drawing in pollen by the tonne and working harder than my big strong hive.

I intend to breed of this dead hive this year as I am amazed with the survivor ability and work ethic.

I would really appreciate your feed back and guidance on the following please
a. is this unusual for a nuc to survive such a horrid exposure on two occasions as described AND
b. would you breed of this strain (given of course that they are on a par with other hives for docility, non frame running etc)

Wot bad luck your bees had

 

[HM Honey]

Must work for the Bank of Scotland.

 

[HM Honey]

Interesting philosophy

You do realise my comment was somewhat tongue in cheek, don't you Redwood

 

[REDWOOD]

You do realise my comment was somewhat tongue in cheek, don't you Redwood

That's the problem I can't see your face, Give us a smiley next time