Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: LazyBkpr on February 20, 2023, 10:50:29 pm

Title: Winter losses
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 20, 2023, 10:50:29 pm

   Anyone else have time to check their hives yet? I lost one hive. The rest are doing well so far. Hoping to add a few new hives this spring. But the price of packages HURTS! I might be splitting instead.
Title: Re: Winter losses
Post by: PappyRick on February 21, 2023, 09:01:39 am
I lost one of six due to being queenless.  The other five are doing well.  I'm in the same boat with splitting.  I figure I'll end up with 7 or 8 hives by early spring.  I am ready for spring to get here.
Title: Re: Winter losses
Post by: The15thMember on February 21, 2023, 11:39:49 am
I am also looking to split for increase this spring.  I've got 5 hives at the moment and would like to get to 8, maybe 10.  I have never purchased packages for increase, just could never justify the money when they'll make more hives by themselves if I let them.  I actually haven't purchased any bees since buying my first 2 packages.  The only time I might would be to try out some good varroa-resistant genetic lines.   
Title: Re: Winter losses
Post by: LazyBkpr on February 21, 2023, 02:24:33 pm
Sounds like you both have plans. I am going to contact Tim Willbanks, and see if I can get queens for the first part of May, get food on the hives early to get them built up. Fortunately I have comb to start the new hives with so it should go pretty fast.   Yeah Ten hives, I have found is a decent number. Manageable even during harvest. More than ten, I find myself struggling.   If we have a good year I am also going to try to overwinter some nuc's. Wife has decided she wants in, so I might have some help!!!!
Title: Re: Winter losses
Post by: RAST on March 01, 2023, 08:36:39 pm
I lost one out of 11 which is surprising due my neglect due to my surgery.