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Offline LazyBkpr

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Winter losses
« 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.
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Offline PappyRick

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Re: Winter losses
« Reply #1 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.
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Offline The15thMember

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Re: Winter losses
« Reply #2 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.   
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Winter losses
« Reply #3 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!!!!
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Offline RAST

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Re: Winter losses
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2023, 08:36:39 pm »
I lost one out of 11 which is surprising due my neglect due to my surgery.
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