Starving hives - is the queen there?

[Koala John]

Hi, I have around six hives that are starving in the middle of our severe summer drought.
These hives have zero honey or pollen stores, and zero brood. Plenty (between 6 and 10 frames depending on hive) of bees in hives and out foraging, but there's just nothing out there for them. Population has not yet crashed in any of them. I hope I have caught it in time, and I am feeding them sugar and pollen. I'm also feeding the other hives that are doing OK, just as a precaution.

None of these starving hives have any eggs or brood. I am assuming that they are all queen right but that the queens stopped laying as the dearth worsened. I can't detect the typical roar of a queenless hive, and a frame of eggs and larvae I put in one did not produce queen cells. But I have also not seen a queen in any of them.

Given that this is happening in several hives, I'm thinking that all hives have queens which will start laying as the feeding progresses and things start looking better for them. Or is there a chance that all have lost their queens and I should be ordering more? Anyone with experience with this?

Thanks in advance for any comments,
John.

[Michael Bush]

Mine will shut down in a drought.  I would assume, as you have, that she will start laying as you feed them.

[Koala John]

Thanks Michael, that's reassuring.

Without starting a new thread, I want to thank you and everyone who has contributed so selflessly, not just to my but to the many other queries the beginners post here. I've found myself very much in the deep end without a mentor or any easily accessible help. I've gone from a raw beginner a few months ago to being confident enough to do the basics and handle some unexpected problems, in large part thanks to some good books and to spending many many hours going through this site. The advice and details and humour I found here has kept me enthusiastic to the point of boring all my friends with my new found love of bees. I'm hooked big time and you've all helped that happen - thank you so much.
John.

[annette]

I am happy for you. Yes, the confidence comes slowly after making some mistakes, after getting through the obstacles, and you see that you can do this.

My feelings are the same as yours regarding all the help from this forum. I could not have done this without the help I get here.

Sincerely
Annette

[Koala John]

Just a quick follow up - I've been feeding sugar fondant and pollen patties since this dearth started, and today most of the hives are showing a dramatic improvement. I have capped brood and an increase in bee numbers. I'm surprised just how fast they have all turned around. Thanks Michael, you were correct, the queens seem to have all started laying again.

I did lose one hive, though I think that was due to either robbing or them packing up and leaving for a locatoin with more food, rather than outright starvation. Anyway, it could hve been a lot worse.

Best regards,
John.

[Cindi]

John, oh happy day!!!!  I am so grateful that you have found support here on this forum, it is indeed a more than wonderful place for any beekeeper, new or well seasoned to learn stuff.  I am grateful that you are grateful too.

What a wonderful thing to hear of your hives that you thought were on the border of death.  Now they are fed, happy and are raising more young to carry on their life dream of a big and happy, cohesive colony, all working towards one single goal.  The ultimate harmony and love.  You must feel so good that these beauties are doing so much better.  Yea!!!  Good for you, good for your perseverence.  AND....have a most wonderful and best of this day.  Cindi