feeding observation hive question.

[splitrock]

I keep an 8 frame observation hive on display with my honey at a local summertime organic vegetable market that my friend and his family own and operate.

This year the hive went swarm crazy.  *I showed pics with two queens in the hive several months ago*, just before the last swarm left.
Anyway with all the swarming, the market closing for the season, and going into winter, when I brought it home I noticed the hive had no capped honey that I could see. It is two wide though, so I couldn't see everything. But in the 3 inch gap at the top all the natural comb that was built was empty, so I started feeding them the winter sugar water mix right away.

Knowing how cleaned out the hive was when I brought it home, and now seeing a small patch of brood on an outside frame, I don't see any pollen anywhere on the 4 frames I can see. I am wondering if maybe i should give them a just little pollen.

[Michael Bush]

I feed pollen to my observation hive through a hole at the top covered in #7 hardware cloth.  One year I fed too much and they ended up blocking the entrance tube with it.  I would feed it in very small amounts.

[splitrock]

Thanks for the prompt reply Michael!

Lol, I didn?t think feeding a lot at this time would be a good idea. I?ll follow your advice.

Now after thinking about it all, since they won?t go back to the market again till late June,  I may feed em up in time to catch a swarm or two before they go.