Should I feed Yet?

[CountryBee]

One of my hive was robbed in the last few days and now they are down to 2 frames of honey total for 2 deep supers, should I start feeding yet?  I am in NY, so it does get cold, just not sure best feeder and if I should feed yet or let them try to recoop.  They have a reducer on the entrance now and their are a lot of bees but not sure if they will find enough fast enough.  Thanks for the help everyone, Country :)

[alfred]

I would be careful about starting up a renewed robbing frenzy if you do feed. If it is warm enough then I would probably open feed away from the hive. Otherwise I would use an inside feeder like a division board feeder and keep the reducer on.

I don't know what your season is like there so I don't know if there is a flow on or if you can expect any more. My girls here in Colorado are still bringing it in. But it will soon end. If you don't have any more nectar then you will need to feed one way or another to get them through the winter.

There are others here who can say more.

[iddee]

You need:
1...A robber screen.
2...Pollen patties
3...An internal feeder

Yes, feed, feed, feed

[Michael Bush]

To prevent robbing, feed ALL the hives.  Reduce the entrance (with screen) to one bee at a time (think of the battle of Thermopylae).  Later you can steal capped stores from the strong hives.

[CountryBee]

When I feed I have used empty cleaned ragu glass with some small holes in the lid turned upside down inside an empty super on top, is that fine?  Thanks, Country :)

[Robo]

That is fine, just make sure there are no voids around the super/inner cover/cover that can be used as an entrance.   Also try not to spill any syrup near or on the outside of the hive when you invert the jar.   If you have another place to move the hive, even just for a couple weeks,  that will help them put their efforts into storing food vs. defending their hive.

[CountryBee]

Entrance reducer to the smallest right?

[Michael Bush]

If more than one bee can pass, it's too big...

[CountryBee]

Thanks :)