warm winter managment

[Patrick]

Hi,
Would like to get some opinions here.  This is the first time I have started a hive from a package so I am a bit unfamiliar with some of the thing that go on while the hive is building up.  I started the hive from a two lb package in May.  Things have been going very slow but sure all summer and apart from low numbers the hive is healthy.  I now have about 6/2 to 7 frames of brood and two frames of honey on the bottom full deep and 5 frames of honey on the top full deep (they never moved up).  So there are a total of 5 frames, two on the bottom and 3 on top not built out. My question is this… I am in Southern California the bees can fly year round, but there is a natural winter slow down until thing pick up again in February. Should I just leave things alone until spring, or should I feed for a few more months and try to fill out the empty frames.  So far when I feed they will build comb at about 3/4 a frame week. Any thoughts?
Cheers,
Patrick

[Kirk-o]

Hey Buddy

Things are pretty slim for the bees from now til spring.So they can't move up til they have a reason Honey flow .If your bees have enough
honey to get them through Oct, Nov,Dec. You'll be alright .Were I'm at
Early spring is end of Dec Start of Jan thats when the Peach trees bloom were I'm at.It is pretty slim pickens for bees now.I'm feeding my three hives now to get them to spring .You can call me or email me if you want you got that info.

kirko

[Patrick]

I guess what I was wondering was if it was ok to feed just to build up comb in the otherwise slow period of winter. Or if this approach is too forced, as the bees are in winter mode of sorts.
cheers

[Michael Bush]

Anytime there is no flow it's not going to hurt to feed as long as it doesn't set off robbing.  That doesn't mean they will take it.  They might.

[Brian D. Bray]

IMO it would be best to consolidate everything in a a single box and then feed that if and as necessary over the winter.  Add the super next March and feed for a week or two and your hive should be up an running.