quick question

[Riggs]

First off, if this has already been asked, please forgive me, I did a quick scan and didn't see it.
With the wacky warm weather this winter, my bees are completely out of stores. The temperature is supposed to be in the mid 60's the next few days. Would it be a bad idea to feed for the next few days and see if they can build up a bit?
Thanks

[buzzbee]

Maybe Iddee or someone from your neck of the woods will pipe in,but I think you need to feed dry sugar. It probably is too cold for syrup,even down your way yet. Starvation will definetly not get you through till spring. But if you are getting a lot of flyable days,you can probably set a box above your inner cover and place dry sugar,maybe moistened just a bit with a hand sprayer, above the inner cover.

See reply 7 here by Ray Marler:
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,23695.0.html
It explains the Mountain Camp method too.

See Robos emergency feed here:
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/emergency-feeding/

[iddee]

Dry sugar is a good idea, but with 70 in the forecast, I have boardman feeders on my porch and they are taking a gallon a day.

Of course, I am feeding all the hives in the neighborhood. I don't think I would put water on the hive itself. IE. Frame feeder, top feeder, boardmann feeder, ETC.

[buzzbee]

I knew you'd chime in . :)He's much more local than I. But here is a vid demonstarting the Mt. camp method.
http://youtu.be/C0NOAslznCo

[Riggs]

Thank you both, I do have dry sugar on top of the inner cover, I may try some open feeding outside the hive.....crazy winter huh.

[iddee]

Crazy?? I guess so. Beautiful, I'm sure of. I hope for a few more like it. I have 4 different flowers blooming in the yard.