Bees on cracked corn

[splitrock]

It's been unseasonably warm here, and my bees have been able to open feed several times this month. I have sugar water out for them.

The other day, I noticed the 2 beef I am fattening were standing away from and looking at the feed bunk kind of funny. To my surprise, the cracked corn in the feeder had lots of bees all over it. I watched several bees on cracked kernels, and in the grain dust loading up their pollen pouches before heading back to the hives. The sugar water was only 20 yards from the feed bunk, so I am wondering what the girls were scrounging around in the corn for when the feed was so near?

Joel   

[backyard warrior]

Imo not a good idea to feed syrup this time of year  for two reasons.  The bees cant dehydrate the water out of the syrup and causes lots of condensation inside the hive.  Secondly if they are gathering pollen and syrup you might stimulate the hive to start raising brood which isnt a good thing this time of year especially if they cant cover the brood and keep it warm they will die trying.  chris

[backyard warrior]

This time of year dry sugar on inner cover or a chunk of fondant no syrups, pollen  or patties till  early spring  Chris

[splitrock]

Thanks for the advice. I know I need to feed due to the warm winter, but wasn't sure how to after reading the different opinions about dry sugar as feed etc. I can keep them from the syrup, but keeping from the cracked corn will be tough.

After watching them again just a bit ago (37 now and they are flying... CRAZY huh!) I notice they are busy as all get out again, and they are only working the  cracked kernels. I just assumed they were also gathering dust yesterday. I was concerned of what may happen if they were gathering pollen.

Now I am wondering if it may be that they are bringing in the starch to help dry the liquid?

Joel

[sc-bee]

When it is warm bees will forage. It is in their nature so to speak. No pollen available they will gather sawdust, crack corn dust etc. They want to work.

[T Beek]

I use a cat litter that has a cracked corn base, which we spread around the perimeter of our garden.  During Spring, before any forage is available my bees are actively 'playing' in and collecting the stuff. 

They 'could' be seeking the starch or any minerals contained w/in.  Your bees are apparently seeking pollen and nectar due to the 'warmer' than average weather.  Mine are doing the same.  I placed another ten pounds of dry sugar last week on all three of my colonies and will likely have to place more before the DANDILIONS appear in April.

This Spring is gonna test many bees and beeks I think :-\  The warmer weather has concerned many in the beekeeping community.

thomas