Author Topic: Feeding Winter Patties (Read 15372 times)

Jen · « **on:** January 19, 2014, 05:57:00 pm »

Waited for a 50 day. Hefted my hive and it's starting to get ligher. Winter Patties, not pollen patties! were purchased from B and B Honey Farms

Hive is Healthy and Strong! Woooot! Gloating

Place winter patties right on the top bars

Then placed my new handy dandy inner cover on, knotch down, that LazyBkpr made for me, a gentleman and a scholar indeed

Lowered the lid and pulled it forward for ventilation

Is this enough ventilation for should I put on a shim? bees are able to come in and out.

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2014, 09:13:34 am »

Nicely done!! But were gonna have to have a talk about you ruining my carefully cultured reputation!

mamapoppybee · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2014, 09:24:41 am »

going to inspect my inner cover again because i have not noticed a notch! If i dont have one looks like i may need to make a modification to it.

Jacobs · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2014, 10:02:45 am »

Today we are supposed to get a 60°F day followed by several with highs in the 30's. I'm going to take advantage of the day to put honey frames back in hives that need more feed and to put pollen substitute patties above the clusters on my home bees. I have been stimulating brood rearing with a brewer's yeast powder mix and external jar feeders of honey water for about 2 weeks now. In our area, red maples usually start blooming around February 1st, and bees start collecting significant amounts of natural pollen. Judging by the trees around the neighborhood, blooming is going to start later this year.

Jen · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2014, 12:09:41 pm »

See the last picture? Is that enough ventilation? Before the inner cover I had popsicle sticks on and I think it had more ventilation than with the inner cover. The bees are able to come in and out of the notch tho. Thinking that the notch opening should be more exposed? maybe a shim?

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2014, 01:59:06 pm »

I put foam on top of the inner cover to stop condensation as well as raise the cover up high enough to clear the notch;

If you have your tele cover slid forward and the bees can get in and out of the notch it should be adequate.

Jen · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2014, 02:27:49 pm »

K. I was just out talkin to my bees and three of them came out of the top notch. So I'm gonna call it good. Unless more chime in and continue to confuse me

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2014, 05:06:56 pm »

I try not to be confusing, but its hard when everyone lives somewhere else. Telling ANY beekeeper that what they are doing "WILL" work is dangerous.. if you have extreme conditions that notch may not be enough. but knowing where you live I feel confident that it is sufficient. I am sure if anyone else disagrees they will pipe in!!!

Jen · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2014, 10:04:06 pm »

Lazy- ""if you have extreme conditions that notch may not be enough.""

meaning record high heat or humidity?

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2014, 10:25:15 pm »

Yes. If you live in a rainforest dampness or desert heat.

riverbee · « **Reply #10 on:** January 21, 2014, 12:45:54 pm »

looks good to me jen, and nicely done on the winter patties, see, they did fit under that great new cover lazy made you! great photos by the way!

Jen · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2014, 03:31:33 pm »

Thanks riv- this was fun! I got to see my bees of which were abounding and peaceful. I take a lot of pics when I'm checkin in with my beeauties

tefer2 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2014, 05:42:54 pm »

Using the polystyrene insulation helps to keep the heat out in summertime too.
You just have to cover the inner cover hole with a piece of visqueen or duct tape.
They'll chew up the insulation if ya don't

Jen · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2014, 06:49:13 pm »

But I thought that the inner cover was good for heat ventilation as well as cold?

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2014, 07:07:07 pm »

It is, the foam goes above it to absorb the suns radiant heat. The bees still need the inner cover to help with ventilation. We only get high 90's and 100 degree temps for a week or so at a time. The bees seem to be quite capable of handling that so I dont use the foam in the summer. They use the swamp cooler affect, evaporating water to cool the hive. If we were going to get blazing sun in the 100's for a month or more I probably would either use the foam or build shades over the hives.

riverbee · « **Reply #15 on:** January 21, 2014, 09:10:57 pm »

good replies by tefer and lazybk jen, but in your climate, you will most likely not need this. if the bees seem to get too hot during summer months, you can prop the outer cover up to help with ventilation.

Jen · « **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2014, 01:22:01 am »

Hey Lazy- what kind of foam are you talking about?

LazyBkpr · « **Reply #17 on:** January 22, 2014, 09:39:30 am »

I buy the 4x8 sheets of 2" Pink foam insulation. I am on the wrong computer or I would post the picture, instead ai'll link to the site, scroll down to see the hive with the pink foam on the top.

http://outyard.weebly.com/wintering.html

Jen · « **Reply #18 on:** January 22, 2014, 11:36:13 pm »

I think I would use the same ridged foam board that I already have around the hive. Cut a piece that would fit snuggly inside the lid.

Jen · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2014, 06:15:34 pm »

Holy Shmoly Guacamole! I put my first winter pattie on two weeks ago, Jan 19. It's GONE, paper and all. Just put another on.

Guess I've got a family to feed!!