Feeding Honey To Other Hives From Same Apiary

[Jen]

Double checking. I've known that we should not feed honey to our bees that's been purchased at the stores or from other apiaries. I have newbee's asking if they can share honey amongst their hives in their own single apiary. The reason I'm asking, is that there is now new additional viruses from varroa mites.

[neillsayers]

Jen,

I have not heard of virus transmission by honey. Of primary concern is AFB and EFB, both bacteria. In general i'd say that equalizing honey stores before winter is standard practice for good beekeeping.

[riverbee]

jen, frames of honey?

i am assuming you are asking about capped frames of honey? here is a recent question asked by mikey, and my answer to mikey is what i would tell anyone:

Movement of capped honey

if you are equalizing and have frame resources to do so going into winter months, great, if trying to save a weak or 'problem' hive, wouldn't do it. keep the good hives strong. the weak hives should be combined with the stronger ones.

[Chip Euliss]

Giving hives an extra comb or two of honey is routine among commercial beekeepers.  That said, I agree with River that you shouldn't combine a weak hive with a strong one but combining 2 (or more) weak hives to make a strong one has never worked for me in a commercial setting.  I just shake the bees out in front of another hive and start a new hive in that equipment the following year.  Chances are that the factors that made them weak in the first place would still be there after they are combined.  You'd just have a poor hive with more bees in it most of the time.  I'd rather salvage now, or as some call it, taking your spring losses in the fall

[riverbee]

chip,
good to have you back!

[Lburou]

Nice to hear from Chip, I was afraid he had dropped off the edge of the earth. 

Did you retire yet Chip?

Using frames of honey is something you can do at any time of the year without special equipment and the limitations of artificial feed(ers). 

[Chip Euliss]

For sure.  I pulled a few frames from some hives I shook to use when I go to CA in January.

I retired from my day job over 4 years ago and we cut way back on the bees this year.  We sold a semitruck load of double deep hives this past spring, did a little more fishing, got a few chores done, etc.