I cracked open my 8 hives this past weekend to check stores. It doesn't look like the hives have touched their 1 super each of honey that I left them last fall. I've heard from other bee keepers in the area (north texas) that I need to start feeding here in about 2 weeks to stimulate brood rearing. What do I do with all that leftover honey? It's mostly goldenrod honey. Extract it and feed it back to them?
Last year my bees had a mess of honey at this time too! but, when it got really springtime, they were going thru it really fast! I took some at first, but was sure glad i didnt take anymore!!! They'd a starved If I had taken more in the last leg of wintering!
Im just west of you, Mad.
your friend,
john
Once the bees begin rearing brood in earnest they will not only use what syrup you feed them but also use a lot of the left over stores. One of the reasons to have so much honey stores at the beginning of winter is to insure that there is sufficient for an adequate brood growth in the spring. Once they queen gets into full production the hive can go through a full super of honey in a matter of a week or 2.
Madscientist. Well, the fact that there is still lots of honey stores left, is a great and wonderful thing. As you have been told, the bees get into massive activity and brood rearing in the spring. That is indeed when you will see that they can consume incredible amounts of honey/pollen to raise their babies. That is good, leave it on the hive, they will need it shortly. Have a wonderful, awesome life, and day. Cindi
A frame of brood burns up a frame of honey and a frame of pollen. It will empty out quickly once brood rearing kicks in.
Quote from: Michael Bush on February 03, 2009, 10:14:03 PM
a frame of brood burns up a frame of honey and a frame of pollen. It will empty out quickly once brood rearing kicks in.
Excellent knowledge. Beautiful day in this great life. Cindi