Feeding? ~ Saw the queen but...

Flygirl · June 23, 2008, 03:43:21 AM

Hello ~

I did a hive check today & saw the queen on the 2nd frame in the second brood box. Everything looks good & almost all the frames are drawn out so I added a queen excluder & super. I'm concerned that it's been cool & overcast...do you think I should keep feeding? The dandelions are blooming as are other perennials. Plenty of brood & drone cells & no sign of queen caps or "peanuts". Everything looks pretty healthy.

I've been feeding both of my hives since April 16th but this last week I didn't put the feeder back on as I feel like there's enough for them to gather. Is this a mistake? Should I keep feeding or should I expect them to start foraging (more than they have been) & filling the honey super?

It's been such a cold spring & summer ~ I'm a little confused in the north??? Anyone else out there in the northern pacific, Canada or Alaska who has some help for a newbee?

Thanks for any input & ideas ~ FG

indypartridge · June 23, 2008, 07:10:19 AM

I overwinter in 2 deeps, so I feed new colonies until they have drawn out the comb on both deeps. Once the supers go on, I stop feeding.

poka-bee · June 23, 2008, 01:45:48 PM

FG I would keep feeding. The spring has been so cold & wet here in WA I almost lost my hives to starvation as did Brian & Sean when we didn't feed. It won't hurt, if they don't need it they won't use it. Better to waste a little sugar now than weaken your hive so they can't get enough stores for winter..Just my thoughts! Jody

Robo · June 23, 2008, 01:53:54 PM

How much stores did they have when you inspected? That is the best way to decide. If you put on supers, I wouldn't be feeding. I know my honey customers wouldn't appreciate it.

Moonshae · June 23, 2008, 09:34:53 PM

If you're going to keep feeding, you need to devote the supers to the bees, not a harvest. Sugar syrup is not honey. If you think they're booming sufficiently to need a super, you don't need to feed.

Take a look in your brood boxes and see how much space is devoted to nectar/syrup. If there's a lot (and you can tell if your top deep is *heavy*), don't feed and see what they do. If there's no flow, they're going to ignore the super and consume their stores.

jojoroxx · June 23, 2008, 10:29:46 PM

I've heard two things about feeding new hives; As long as there is comb to be drawn out, feed. And, Feed new hives until September!

I personally thought I would feed only 5 weeks, but the weather has been cool and there is still foundation to be drawn out so I have continued. My hives consume about a quart a day, each.

Flygirl · June 23, 2008, 11:01:40 PM

OK ~ you've all given me lots to think about.

Let's see ~ they have some stored food on the top of every frame but most of the second box is brood. Lots of it! It's very heavy! That's probably why I saw the queen (big pink dot) on the second frame in because she was laying eggs. The frames on each end of the box had nectar/ water on both sides. All the frames are drawn out.

It's been so cold & our weather has been similar to Jody's ~ Wet, cold & overcast. All this discussion is making me think I should keep feeding them & remove the queen excluder. (?) Does that sound reasonable? I'm worried that the queen will lay eggs in the super but I guess that's ok (?)...I can always add the excluder later & add a second super on top for me? I don't have anymore deeps because I'm just using two on each hive for brood & then the supers (mediums).

I'm trying to think about what's blooming~ lilacs, poppies, shooting stars, may day trees, dandeloins, etc. Some of these (lilacs) I know they don't really care for. It really doesn't seem like there much happening in the garden :(

If I check them tomorrow & they've already moved into the super should I let it go?? I'm confusing myself :) I'll do a fly-bye tomorrow & give you an update. Myabe that'll help me decide. Thanks for all the advice!

qa33010 · June 24, 2008, 04:36:32 PM

Check with some of the beeks in your area. I have no idea how much you guys need up there to over winter. But if you don't have it here is a link http://www.alaskabees.com/ for you that may help. I talk to members of our clubs and find who is successfully overwintering, what their losses were from, has great production and long living hives. Then I take info from all that volunteered it and make up my own mind for what works for me and learn from that.

Flygirl · June 25, 2008, 02:06:54 AM

OK ~ Thanks & good idea to check with the local beeks. I'm sort of a lurker & independent sort so I haven't checked with them. I get all the emails /posts from the site but it's not very active. Alaska is the size of 3 western states (yes, we're bigger than Texas) so we have a lot of different weather.

Anyway.... We had a beautiful sunny day today & all the bees were out in force. I did check the hive in question & they have moved up & started to draw out the starter strips so I think I'm good!!

I really, really appreciate all the wonderful, kind & thoughtful suggestions. You guys & gals are the best! You're all on my neighborhood list for honey! :) FG