I have two hives in Connecticut, one has plenty of honey stores, while the other was a little light. I started checking on warm days in January and the bees in the light hive were at the top of the frames so I started feeding fondant immediately and I think it saved the girls from starving. The bees in the stronger hive are still in the middle of the two deeps and just found the fondant I placed on the top bars, they eat it, but I think they like their honey better. The first winter for a first year beekeeper is nerve-wracking.
(http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/7596/beesfondantsl1.jpg) (http://img25.imageshack.us/my.php?image=beesfondantsl1.jpg)
(http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/beesfondantsl1.jpg/1/w1200.png) (http://g.imageshack.us/img25/beesfondantsl1.jpg/1/)
I know just how nerve-wracking it can be! My first winter I was so worried about them. Now I'm not even with my bees in the winter. I get them ready as best I can, and then wonder all winter long how they are doing. I find out in the spring if I still have any bees left at all! Talk about nerve-wracking!
Where are you from in CT? I live 10 minutes west of Danbury, just over the NY line.
justgojumpit
I live in the Southeastern corner of the state real close to the ocean. Bees do very well here, I harvested over 130 pounds of honey from two hives my first year from packages on new foundation. Looking forward to adding two more hives this spring.
I've been feeding fondant for a few years now. Beats the moisture concerns with syrup. And I slap on 25 pounds on a light hive and know they will go at least a couple months without needing to add anything.
BTW...nice woodenware.