feeding

[mjb1]

HI all I have been feeding my 2 hives since the flow is off here. Is this a good practice or should I allow them to use the stored honey? Their stores seem limited since they were established in May which is a late start for my area.

[annette]

Usually you don't feed them unless they really need to be fed.  If they have stored some honey they should be able to live on that until the next flow starts up. Not sure about your area, but around here I let them live on what they have made and only start to feed when the Fall flow is finished, then I see what they have left for the winter.  If the hives are light at that time, then I feed to get the weight up on the hives.

But what is "limited" in your estimation? If they have only a few frames of honey, I would keep an eye on them to make sure they do not run out.  Some beeks might feel different about this, but I really do not like to feed the hives unless I really have to. Feeding always causes some trouble whether it be ants, robbing, drowned bees etc. Also I always feel the best food for them is their own honey and the sugar syrup is just an emergency solution.