Should I feed pollen pattys?

[labradorfarms]

A lady at my Bee Club said we should be feeding pollen pattys  ! Also she said hers are wearing it out....
My first thought was oh no. I am screwing up... but my 2nd was>>>>>

I am a 1st year Beek and have not feed any pollen and my Bees seem to be doing fine...

Am I messing up by not feeding a pollen substitute?

Will my Bee's die without a polled sub and will they benifeit?

I was thinking I might feed my a Pollen sub right before spring arrives. To help them build up faster.

[iddee]

If you feed in Feb. or Mar., your bees will be fine. If she feeds all winter, hers will swarm time after time.

YOU ARE CORRECT

[buzzbee]

And down your way pollen patties are a magnet for hive beetles. Feed when they will benefit from it.

[CBT]

We fed protein patties and syrup July thru October to get our bees fat and hives full of bees for this winter.
This will be a test to see how much if any better they grow and gather this spring.

[Joe D]

Talk to Bud, he is up towards you.  I leave plenty of honey for my bees and for I think this will be my fifth winter have not feed any pollen and very little sugar syrup.  I usually feed approx. 1 to 2 gal. per hive per winter.  Good luck to you and your bees.




Joe