Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: capt44 on January 19, 2016, 10:29:11 am
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We've had a pretty mild winter so far here in Central Arkansas which is causing the bees to be more active thus eating more.
I've had to put candy boards on top of my hives already because here it is the middle of January and the bees are at the top of the frames in the top box.
Looks like I'll be feeding the rest of the winter.
I have 7 dry feeders out with a High Protein pollen substitute feed ( Ultra Bee ) from Mann Lake.
Knock on wood so far I haven't lost any hives.
Several beekeepers around say they've had several hives abscomb already.
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Candy boards will feed and keep the bees alive. feeding pollen substitute will cause the bees to increase brood production, which will cause the hive to consume more feed. I would caution about over stimulating brood production if you do not have a need or a plan for this extra bees. Capt44 does queen rearing so he has a plan for the extra early bees he produces.
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I can use all the early bees I can get.
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I know you can use as many extra bees in setting up cell builders and mating nucs, but I posted this for the benefit of others that think it's time to stimulate feed because the commercial guy down the road is. If you produce an abundance of bees now You had better have a plan for their use in 6 to 8 weeks.
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Lol,
Captain had better have bees cause I need about 30 queens. :laugh:
I have 30 nucs ordered so I need lots of early bees as well. I will start pollen patties in a couple of weeks.
BTW, I have had 3 abscond.