Help me evaluate my queen!

Started by TheMasonicHive, April 30, 2010, 09:35:03 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Print
Go Down Pages1
User actions

TheMasonicHive

April 30, 2010, 09:35:03 PM
Hey everyone.


I opened up my hive today, at the end of week 3 and I see what appears to be a nice brood pattern.

I am using 10 frames.  5 1/2 were drawn, 3 have capped brood on them.  I'm not seeing a lot of honey which concerns me, because I wonder what's sustaining them.

These photos can blow up very large for closer observation but I figured I'd ask trained and experienced eyes for their opinions.





Christopher Peace
Oakland County, MI

"It teaches us that, as we come into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves." - Freemasonry on the Beehive

Kathyp

#1
April 30, 2010, 09:57:06 PM
looks good.  you have honey on the first two pics.  as long as they are staying ahead of what they need to raise brood, you are good.  just keep an eye on it.  you won't usually see a tremendous amount of storage of honey when they are raising massive amounts of brood unless you have a really good flow going on.  once the numbers are up, they will be able to both raise brood and store honey.

watch the stores and try to be aware of the nectar flow.  they can go down quickly if things dry up before stores are good.
The people the people are the rightful masters of both congresses and courts not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.

Abraham  Lincoln
Speech in Kansas, December 1859

TheMasonicHive

#2
April 30, 2010, 11:27:29 PM
OK, dumb question...how do I know when a nectar flow hits?
Christopher Peace
Oakland County, MI

"It teaches us that, as we come into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves." - Freemasonry on the Beehive

Kathyp

#3
April 30, 2010, 11:35:00 PM
the best way is to talk to other beekeepers in your area that can give you specifics.  also, be aware of what nectar producing plants are blooming.  for instance, my first flow of any substance is the fruit trees.  next the raspberries.  then there is a bit of a break and the blackberries bloom. 
it will be different for your area.
The people the people are the rightful masters of both congresses and courts not to overthrow the Constitution, but to overthrow the men who pervert it.

Abraham  Lincoln
Speech in Kansas, December 1859

David LaFerney

#4
May 01, 2010, 12:21:24 AM
It's not just if a flow is on though - they have to be able to fly too.  If the weather is rainy or cold so that they can't forage the flow goes to waste, and they could be short.
"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so." Samuel Clemens

Putting the "ape" in apiary since 2009.

JP

#5
May 01, 2010, 01:19:05 AM
Looks like she's doing a pretty decent job. Bottom picture looks like a good pattern.


...JP
My Youtube page is titled JPthebeeman with hundreds of educational & entertaining videos.

My website JPthebeeman.com http://jpthebeeman.com

TheMasonicHive

#6
May 01, 2010, 07:39:17 AM
Most of the vacant cells next to the capped brood appeared to have water in it.  Is it normal to see a lot of water in there?

Is it any kind of indicator as to an inconvenient water supply that I should supplement somehow?
Christopher Peace
Oakland County, MI

"It teaches us that, as we come into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones; never sitting down contented while our fellow-creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves." - Freemasonry on the Beehive

JP

#7
May 01, 2010, 10:42:14 AM
Quote from: TheMasonicHive on May 01, 2010, 07:39:17 AM
Most of the vacant cells next to the capped brood appeared to have water in it.  Is it normal to see a lot of water in there?

Is it any kind of indicator as to an inconvenient water supply that I should supplement somehow?

Most likely you are seeing nectar.


...JP
My Youtube page is titled JPthebeeman with hundreds of educational & entertaining videos.

My website JPthebeeman.com http://jpthebeeman.com

Finski

#8
May 02, 2010, 04:57:25 PM
.
If you have 3 frames of capped brood, that hive is not able to forage much yield.

A hive needs at least 3 boxes of full of bees and about 10 frames of brood.

I live in Finland. Our snow melted away 2 weeks ago and today I looked that my hives and they have  4-5 frames of capped brood. Still they are not able to forage during one month.  Many hives take 2 months to be able to forage yield.
.
Language barrier NOT included
Print
Go Up Pages1
User actions