Weighed my hive . . . would you feed?

c10250 · February 13, 2010, 04:32:40 PM

I'm wintering in two deeps. After weighing my hive, I'm sitting at an estimated 44 lbs of stores. Would you guys do MountainCamp feeding, or just try to make it through to April, when it will be warm enough to feed 1:1?

Ken

David LaFerney · February 13, 2010, 04:35:48 PM

It wouldn't take much effort, and it wouldn't do any harm would it?

c10250 · February 13, 2010, 05:47:14 PM

Quote from: David LaFerney on February 13, 2010, 04:35:48 PM
It wouldn't take much effort, and it wouldn't do any harm would it?

Well, that's the issue. It would take a little bit of effort as I have the hive wrapped, with an empty medium on top of the inner cover and some insulation. I'd have to unwrap, pull the medium, insulation, and inner cover . . . then feed and re-wrap.

Ken

Two Bees · February 13, 2010, 07:51:11 PM

If I understand correctly, you already have an empty medium on top of an inner cover that's on top of two deeps? If so, I would just pull the insulation out and pour dry sugar on top of the inner cover, leaving the oval hole in the center open. As the cluster works it way to to top, they will come up through the inner cover hole and feed on the sugar. Works like a charm!

doak · February 13, 2010, 07:57:55 PM

You could easily make the choice. If the effort would save your colony, would it be worth it to you.
We don't know where the weather will go in the next six+ weeks regardless of where you are. We just had 3 inches of snow here in central GA. with the low 20's for tonight.
I don't have to feed my 2 colonies, but if it was chancy if I didn't, I would. :)doak

Michael Bush · February 14, 2010, 04:56:42 AM

So you believe you have 44 pounds of STORES, not that the hive weighs 44 pounds? Right? That sounds fine to me. that is still some weight.

Finski · February 14, 2010, 10:15:16 AM

Quote from: c10250 on February 13, 2010, 04:32:40 PM
I'm wintering in two deeps. After weighing my hive, I'm sitting at an estimated 44 lbs of stores. ...warm enough to feed 1:1?

Ken

During the whole wintering from September to April , 8 months, my one box hive spend that much food.

When they have stores, there is no idea to feed them.

After wintering syrup feeding does not help in brood rearing. They need proteing to rear brood. Yes, many believe that sugar feeding accelerates brooding but it is not true.

c10250 · February 14, 2010, 11:29:20 AM

Finski, thanks for the response. I find it interesting that you can winter in such cold climates with such little reserves (less than 20 Kg). Are you using Styrofoam hives? I believe insulating the hives really helps reduce the amount of stores they use.

goertzen29 · February 14, 2010, 07:13:27 PM

Hey Ken,

You estimate 44lbs of stores....what as the total weight of the hive? I ask b/c I have a couple 2 deep hives and was wondering how I am doing with stores? thanks.

Jay

c10250 · February 14, 2010, 10:04:12 PM

Quote from: goertzen29 on February 14, 2010, 07:13:27 PM
Hey Ken,

You estimate 44lbs of stores....what as the total weight of the hive? I ask b/c I have a couple 2 deep hives and was wondering how I am doing with stores? thanks.

Jay

Jay,

I put some equipment I had laying around on a scale. Basically, a double deep and a medium, with drawn frames, bottom board, and migratory cover came out to 61 lbs.

When I weighed the my hive, a similar setup weighed 105 lbs. So I figured I had around 44 lbs of stores. (Well, I guess there are bees to account for too. Oops.) Maybe I'm down to 35 lbs of stores.

Ken

Michael Bush · February 15, 2010, 12:19:41 AM

105 pounds total, should be plenty.

Finski · February 15, 2010, 01:22:37 AM

Quote from: c10250 on February 14, 2010, 11:29:20 AM

Are you using Styrofoam hives? I believe insulating the hives really helps reduce the amount of stores they use.

Yes I have. Insulating with one inch board do the same. I have wintered in 3 cm thick wooden boxes and they spend 50% more food. Spring build up in warm hives are guicker than in uninsulated boxes.

If I have 20 hives I bye 400 kg sugar in autumn. It is enough from Sempember feeding to willow blooming first of May. In September I take almost all honey away from hives. Perhaps 5 kg will remain in brood frames.

Finski · February 15, 2010, 01:30:49 AM

To balance hives?

One box wintering hives I feed so much as they take and I do not balance them.

2-box hives I balance when 2/3 sugar has feeded. Put put a bathroom balance under another side of hive and read the weight. 30 kg is too much. 25-28 is good and under that add syrup.

After cleansing flight I try the weight with hand. Lift if it is light. If it feels light I look inside do I see
capper food in frames. It they have, I wait for better weathers to handle the job.