Pollen storages

[johnwm73]

What happens if the bees aren't bringing in pollen? Should I substitute? Right now they seem to be doing good but when I inspect I don't see any pollen being stored. Are they using it up that fast? Or do they not store much pollen just nectar? Here are a few pictures from the 2nd brood box. These were taken on 6-1-08.

[Scadsobees]

Well, that depends on your locale.  Not being familiar with your area, I can only give an approximate answer.

Looks like a new hive, they are going to be heavy on brood but light on foragers.  I'm going to guess that you are feeding currently.

They are at somewhat of a disadvantage with pollen, they are consuming it as fast as they can forage it, but have enough honey from feed.  Once the brood is capped then those brood won't consume any more pollen.

You can feed pollen patties if you wish, it may give them a little bit of a leg up, they are limited in their brood raising not only by pollen but by a limited number of nurse bees as well. However, if you have SHB around you probably won't want to feed them pollen.

If you don't feed, they will manage fine too.

Rick

[johnwm73]

They have been growing good. But if I need to put out a pollen patty I will. I stopped feeding them about 2 or 3 weeks ago after they filled 6 to 7 frames of the 2nd brood box. I thought they would find anything else to fill the rest from nature. So far they have. Will the pollen patty help them at this point? Should I place it on top of the super I placed or between the super and the 2nd brood box?

[Bcrazy]

Hi Guys,
I am a novice regarding bekeeping in the USA.  So I will try to fit in where possible.
With regards to pollen and feeding, by the sounds of things you don't need to consider giving patties, as they sound like a big and well organised colony.
When you inspect next time have a look for pollen and see if there are different coloured pollens being stored in the lower brood chamber. If there is only one colour of pollen then that is ok but if there are different coloured pollens then that is even better.
Pollen grains varies in what they produce to the bees and the more varied the colour the better it is for the bees as they will be getting a variation of protiens, fat, minerals and vitimins. (e.g. yellow pollen 30% protiens  black pollen 45% protiens)
Hope that helps.

Regards;

[johnwm73]

Yes that helps. They seem to be doing alright even after removing the syrup. I saw they had enough nectar stored. But the pollen had me worried that they might not have enough of it. But from what I have read it seems they are just using it as fast as they bring it in. How much pollen should be stored compared to nectar? Maybe knowing that will ease my mind.

[Bcrazy]

Hi johnwm73
With reference to pollen it is usual to find a small patch of stored pollen around the peripheries of the brood pattern.  Easy access for the nurse bees to feed the larva.

How much pollen should be stored compared to nectar?

Please do not compare nectarand pollen or try to make a comparison.  The influx of either nectar or pollen is controlled by the nurse bees who regulate what the foragers will bring back, as they know the needs of the colony. 
May I ask how long have you been keeping bees?
The reason I ask that is because, new beeks that have big strong colonies become worried that they can't see the queen or realize there is very little brood in one of the brood chambers.  What I would reccommend John is you sit near the hive for about half an hour and writ down what you see. Bees coming and going is not enough, what are the bees bringing back? Can yousee pollen on their rear legs? If you can't see pollen then they will be bringing back water or nectar. I love sitting down and just watching the movement of a busy colony. I think you will be surprised a what you will learn just watching.

Its a wonderful hobby as there is so much to learn from these tiny insects.

Regards;

[johnwm73]

This is my first year. Both brood boxes on both hives are 90 to 95 % full. I have a super on each both for room and ventilation. I know that both queens are there. I see larva uncapped in both hives. Each queen is laying in both boxes of each hive. The pollen concern was because I don't see any being stored on the frames. I didn't know if they just bring in enough to feed and store only the left over before the nurse bees change the foragers over to nectar or water. I don't want the hives to die because of lack of pollen. That was why I asked about how much pollen should be stored compared to nectar. I knew I would need more nectar for storage for winter food.

[Brian D. Bray]

Yes that helps. They seem to be doing alright even after removing the syrup. I saw they had enough nectar stored. But the pollen had me worried that they might not have enough of it. But from what I have read it seems they are just using it as fast as they bring it in. How much pollen should be stored compared to nectar? Maybe knowing that will ease my mind.

You've got brood so you have pollen, the bees need honey and pollen to feed the brood.  If you had an absolute absence of pollen your hive would be broodless or only have some capped brood that had been feed prior to the pollen being used up.

[johnwm73]

Thanks alot that is what I was wanting to know. I have enjoyed all the info I get from here. And am ready to get going next year to see if I get any honey. Maybe I will get some in the fall is there is anything blooming. Both hives are full and going strong.