When to feed?

[Wanda]

I am in the process of getting my hive winter ready. Varroa treatment done. +-20kg of stores.

I'm going for a hip replacement next week and will not be able to manage this hive until the spring.
How do I know when I should feed in the winter?

 

[elainemary]

I am in the process of getting my hive winter ready. Varroa treatment done. +-20kg of stores.

I'm going for a hip replacement next week and will not be able to manage this hive until the spring.
How do I know when I should feed in the winter?

20kg should be enough unless it’s an extremely prolific hive. I make sure all mine have this level of stores and on average they use 10kg to March and only the odd one on double brood needs fondant. My 80 year old mum has had a hip replacement and she was up & about in a few weeks, so by the time January is here you could be in a position to put fondant on top of the bars as insurance. Hope the op goes well and gives you a new spring in your step for next season
P.S. what is the forage like in your area now eg Himalayan balsam & ivy? If it’s a really mild September and there’s no forage they may need a top up by the end of the month. If plenty of forage I wouldn’t worry. May need to enlist the help of a local beekeeper if there isn’t, or put a slab of fondant on before your op.

 

[enrico]

Down here in the south I like to have all my feeding finished by the second week of October. Weather dependant of course!

 

[Boston Bees]

I am in the process of getting my hive winter ready. Varroa treatment done. +-20kg of stores.

I'm going for a hip replacement next week and will not be able to manage this hive until the spring.
How do I know when I should feed in the winter?

If it is definitely true that neither you nor anyone else can touch this hive until Spring then I would whack a 12.5kg block of fondant on top of the top bars, inside an empty super (or whatever), before your operation.

But in reality I imagine you will be able to hobble to the hive to put some fondant on by the time that Jan/Feb comes round?

 

[Wanda]

20kg should be enough unless it’s an extremely prolific hive. I make sure all mine have this level of stores and on average they use 10kg to March and only the odd one on double brood needs fondant. My 80 year old mum has had a hip replacement and she was up & about in a few weeks, so by the time January is here you could be in a position to put fondant on top of the bars as insurance. Hope the op goes well and gives you a new spring in your step for next season
P.S. what is the forage like in your area now eg Himalayan balsam & ivy? If it’s a really mild September and there’s no forage they may need a top up by the end of the month. If plenty of forage I wouldn’t worry. May need to enlist the help of a local beekeeper if there isn’t, or put a slab of fondant on before your op.

Thanks for good wishes.

 

[Wanda]

I was thinking that I would not be able to open hive to inspect the amount of stores that might be left mid-winter... not just my feeble body being unable to lift...
But you all have given me hope and advice.
Ivy in full flow atm.
Thanks so much

 

[Swarm]

My neighbour recently had this op, she was up and about in no time and there's no stopping her now. Good luck.

 

[drdrday]

I was thinking that I would not be able to open hive to inspect the amount of stores that might be left mid-winter... not just my feeble body being unable to lift...
But you all have given me hope and advice.
Ivy in full flow atm.
Thanks so much

My mum had a hip op just over a year ago. She was walking down the road within the week, and going on daily two mile walks by the end of the month. I don't think you'll have much of a problem, but if you're at all unsure, as Boston Bees said, put on some fondant. It'll be there if/when they need it.