Slow Spring = Slow Buildup?

[jeff33]

Are you in a built up area Jeff? Or out in the country?

I live in the country near the sea. My apiary is sheltered by 2 buildings and a thick hedge in the north. They are half carnolians tho and I wrapped them up in polystyrene all winter. ..so I guess they must have thought they were in Tahiti. .lesson learned for next winter!

 

[yeogi75]

mine are also behind, only looked in two thou that I thought was in dire need of feeding, osr now slowly going over the fields are slowly going green, and seen my first swallow today racing me down the road, hopefully this bad spell doesn't have an adverse affect on my bees.

 

[Obee1]

Hi tremy. I attribute my large hive to several factors.

One it is in the city centre and in a small garden with no wind and full sun (when available)
Two it is incredibly close to a park full of crocus and cherry blossom to name but a few- so close the bees could actually walk there!
Three I fed them pollen substitute from February
Four they are covered in a full size kingspan bonnet
Five - very importantly - is its a hivemaker buckfast colony.

My other colonies have none of the above - oh one had a poly bonnet and they all did have pollen substitute. None of them are anything special. Slow buildup.

I wonder if your biggest problem is the wind factor. Even if you shelter the beeyard it will still be windy for them to fly in. Have you thought of keeping one hive somewhere warmer and see what happens?

 

[Tremyfro]

Hi tremy. I attribute my large hive to several factors.

One it is in the city centre and in a small garden with no wind and full sun (when available)
Two it is incredibly close to a park full of crocus and cherry blossom to name but a few- so close the bees could actually walk there!
Three I fed them pollen substitute from February
Four they are covered in a full size kingspan bonnet
Five - very importantly - is its a hivemaker buckfast colony.

My other colonies have none of the above - oh one had a poly bonnet and they all did have pollen substitute. None of them are anything special. Slow buildup.

I wonder if your biggest problem is the wind factor. Even if you shelter the beeyard it will still be windy for them to fly in. Have you thought of keeping one hive somewhere warmer and see what happens?

Yeah....I thought of moving one in with yours

 

[Tremyfro]

I think it's partly the wind but mainly the temperatures.....2014...which was much warmer wasn't a problem.

 

[Nige.Coll]

Haven't noticed much of a slow build up with my local mongrels.
Most have 6+ frames of brood the best have 11+.