Author Topic: Spring Feeding for buildup! (Read 42181 times)

Jen · « **Reply #20 on:** January 12, 2014, 05:19:49 pm »

tec said ""optimally you want to begin stimulative feeding 45 to 60 days ahead of your first flow""

I sure don't know when that is, I will be charting it this year tho. But for now I think I shall talk to a local beek.

tecumseh · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2014, 06:35:10 am »

Actually Jen if you are from San Francisco Bay area or northward you are pretty much experience about the same winter time weather pattern as we do here in Central Texas. of course in the Bay area since there is a significant temperature modification from the coastal effect of the Pacific Ocean so some things there will begin to bloom ahead of things here. over time a beekeeper does get to notice patterns and certainly when things bloom is an important ingredient to the basic knowledge of a beekeeper. here I base certain manipulation and start dates based on things like 'begging of first substantial flow' and these dates may vary by as much as 2 week. during our most recent visit to the Bay area it looked extremely dry to me and this is another factor that will significantly impact not only when things bloom but for how long.

Jen · « **Reply #22 on:** January 14, 2014, 12:08:38 pm »

tec, I live about 1/2 hour from the Oregon boarder.

What does "begging of first substantial flow" mean?"

iddee · « **Reply #23 on:** January 14, 2014, 01:13:27 pm »

1/2 hour below the Oregon border could be two entirely different climates. What is your altitude?

rodmaker · « **Reply #24 on:** January 14, 2014, 01:23:31 pm »

just put out my first feeding of the new year the girls are out and moving 36 at night and 68 during the day . I have one hive in build up mode already. Their bringing back pollen from somewhere. Drought and warm weather must have everything early.

Jen · « **Reply #25 on:** January 14, 2014, 02:11:26 pm »

Iddee- 2582 altitude

Jen · « **Reply #26 on:** January 14, 2014, 02:14:42 pm »

Perry- why is a boardman considered the least desirable?

tecumseh · « **Reply #27 on:** January 14, 2014, 07:06:44 pm »

a snip..
begging of first substantial flow

tecumesh...
that is called bad spellin' in my neck of the wood. it should have been beginning and not begging but I some time do beg and pray for a good flow. especially in the dry years. heavy flight pattern at the front entry pretty much tell me when a flow is on. < these can or at least should add significant weight to a hive so tipping the hive and feeling for heft also tells you quite a bit.

shove in the front door type boardman feeder are first know to leak and secondly since they are unprotected can freeze and break. either of these outcomes here highly attracts ants and I suspect the small hive beetles. I do employ the same idea as the boardman feeder in some migratory style top covers and these do work quite nicely.

iddee · « **Reply #28 on:** January 14, 2014, 08:27:12 pm »

I LOVE A BOARDMAN FEEDER...........................200 feet from the hives.

rrog13 · « **Reply #29 on:** January 14, 2014, 08:53:33 pm »

Quote from: iddee on January 14, 2014, 08:27:12 pm

I LOVE A BOARDMAN FEEDER...........................200 feet from the hives.

lol.....agreed!

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #30 on:** January 14, 2014, 09:33:42 pm »

Quote from: iddee on January 14, 2014, 08:27:12 pm

I LOVE A BOARDMAN FEEDER...........................200 feet from the hives.

Exactly!!
I have used them in new colonies, but take pains with a reduced entrance to the far side away from the feeder. If it gets cool at night, then warm during the day, the sun warms up the feeder and it leaks, or allows the syrup to dribble out faster than the bees can take it.. If the feeding is heavy, you can pull a jar from the boardman to find the feeder itself packed with drowned bees. At best, the syrup ran out the front of the feeder and is now making your bottom board sticky. if your hive is tilted slightly forward you have syrup leaking from the hive drawing bees from everywhere.
They can be a REAL nuisance...
Having said that.. IF, you use a bit of care, shield them from the sun to prevent the leakdown affect and take precautions against robbing they can be effective and useful. As I said, i still occasionally use them when starting a new colony, but generally use the feeder stand pictured. I put the feed out, the bees are quite capable of retrieving it.

iddee · « **Reply #31 on:** January 14, 2014, 09:41:23 pm »

I line up 6 or 8 of them on my back porch. The bees come to them from all three bee yards. I don't have to carry the jars more than about 20 feet to change them out. It works great.

Jen · « **Reply #32 on:** January 14, 2014, 09:47:34 pm »

This is interesting! I haven't learned about feeding stations until this forum.

I must figure out one for my yard... hmmm, maybe i can take a pic of my backyard and get some advice from my new best friends here

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #33 on:** January 14, 2014, 10:08:12 pm »

Heh! I like that Idea Iddee. Might try setting up the two home stations right outside the door. Relax in a lawn chair to watch, squish the occasional yellow jacket and never have to go farther than a few steps.

Jen · « **Reply #34 on:** January 14, 2014, 10:32:23 pm »

Cool! I'de like some pics of this kind of event. I need some idea's

iddee · « **Reply #35 on:** January 14, 2014, 10:34:38 pm »

Do you have a boardman feeder? If so, the next warm day you have, fill it and set it on the railing of your back porch. The bees will find it.

rrog13 · « **Reply #36 on:** January 14, 2014, 10:53:59 pm »

Here’s a couple feeding stations I set out in the yard last year. They’re nothing special but, do the trick.

Jen · « **Reply #37 on:** January 14, 2014, 11:33:33 pm »

rrog- is that drivert sugar in the dry jar?

pistolpete · « **Reply #38 on:** January 15, 2014, 03:04:31 am »

I guess that feeding stations are great if you live more than 5 miles from the nearest bee keeper. Otherwise, at best you're feeding their bees, at worst you're contaminating their honey with sugar. Any kind of open feeding has to be done responsibly.

Perry · « **Reply #39 on:** January 15, 2014, 06:26:15 am »

Quote from: Jen on January 14, 2014, 11:33:33 pm

rrog- is that drivert sugar in the dry jar?

I'm guessing pollen sub.