How long should packaged bees be fed syrup after being inserted in their box?

[gundalf]

I set up our first two hives 8 days ago and all seems well...   Lots of action and interaction...   They're bringing in pollen and have released the queen, but are still consuming a quart per hive, per day...   How long does this normally take before I can cut off the syrup...   I hate front feeders with screened bottom boards...   They don't slide in without a bunch of effort and upset bees... :?   Tom

[Kathyp]

use jars on top of the inner cover.

how long depends on what is available to them.  they need the nectar and the pollen and they don't always have both at the same time.  they are building a lot of comb and going to start raising brood, so feeding is really important.  i usually feed a swarm or package until they slow down-pretty much quit taking it.  you can also go by how much is stored.  when you do your check, look and see how much they have been able to to put away.

[riverrat]

i would put the jar over the inner cover gallon pickle jars work real well. boardman feeders like you are using a notorious for starting robbing I would feed until they have 2 deeps drawn and they have a lot of stores or until the quit taking it.

[Michael Bush]

I would feed them until they have some capped stores.  A week of inclimate weather can cause starvation otherwise.

[gundalf]

Thanks gang;  I'm still feeding them both equally now after 12 days. They've slowed by about 30%. The feeding just got easier with some changes in design and a zipper hood...   The last one gave real meaning to "A Bee in the Bonnet" or two...