How much drawn foundation

trapperbob · May 04, 2007, 08:57:30 AM

With a new 3lb package and new undrawn foundation how much drawn comb should I have before I stop feeding. These are italions and I understand that they can be kind of lazy and depend on syrup as long as it is present. It is plastic foundation that was wax coated. The only info that I can find says to stop feeding when there is sufficiant nector to support the hive but shouldn't there be some comb to raise the hive in first.It's my understanding that they need to be fed to build. But not to sure How much comb I initially should have.

Robo · May 04, 2007, 09:57:33 AM

Once there is sufficient nectar available, they will stop taking syrup. Just keep an eye on they that they don't get syrup bound.

Finsky · May 04, 2007, 12:22:24 PM

Quote from: trapperbob on May 04, 2007, 08:57:30 AM
With a new 3lb package and new undrawn foundation how much drawn comb should I have before I stop feeding.

3lbs is able to occupy about 6-8 frames. It depends how warm is tempereture and weather.

Bee may draw more combs than they occupy but they cannot raise brood not more than they can keep warm.

Bees draw combs when they need them for queen's laying. If they make combs for honey, they continue drawing when cells are becoming filled. It means that if you try to get much combs, bees store existing cells with syrup, and laying are is restricted.

Brood cycle is 3 weeks. Before new bees emerge, 50% package bees will be dead. After 4 weeks colony is ready to expand when brood hatches.
Bees take care of new room, if they are able to use it. There is no advantage to make them draw combs at the beginning. After 5-6 weeks colony is double. Then it is easier to make new combs.

Quote
These are italions and I understand that they can be kind of lazy and depend on syrup as long as it is present.

Italian are best bees in the world. If you fill with syrup he hive, every hive will stop working and it swarms. Bees are not lazy.
They will not work after your opinion.

I suppose that you have summer there. Bees gather honey and pollen from nature. You feed so much that they have stores enough for bad weathers.

If you have 5 combs. Alltogether one frames should be full of sugar/honey and others are for brood.
I have much small colonies fo mating nuds. I have one honey frame half full, half pollen frames and 1-2 for brood.

If occupation is 5 frames, bees are able to brood 3 frames and 2 side frames are for food.
If hive room is tight, it is warm and 3 brood frames give 7-9 frames hatched bees.

It means that after 4 brooding weeks you should have whole box full of bees. - if you do not fill your hive with syrup.
After 8 weeks you should have 3-4 box full of bees, 2 box brood and one box honey.

.

.

shakerbeeman · May 25, 2007, 02:03:30 PM

I have 2 medium 5 frame nucs stacked with a 3 lb package inside. Have been feeding sugar water 1-2 weeks and after reading here I think I better discontinue. Within a few days I plan to put them in new medium 8 frame nucs I have made. These will be top entrance. Should I pull the boardman now and switch if I do I wonder, should I open the bottom entrance full or just switch this nuc to top entry. Any suggestions would be helpfull.

Mklangelo · May 25, 2007, 07:35:08 PM

Quote from: Finsky on May 04, 2007, 12:22:24 PM
Quote from: trapperbob on May 04, 2007, 08:57:30 AM
With a new 3lb package and new undrawn foundation how much drawn comb should I have before I stop feeding.

3lbs is able to occupy about 6-8 frames. It depends how warm is tempereture and weather.

Bee may draw more combs than they occupy but they cannot raise brood not more than they can keep warm.

Bees draw combs when they need them for queen's laying. If they make combs for honey, they continue drawing when cells are becoming filled. It means that if you try to get much combs, bees store existing cells with syrup, and laying are is restricted.

Brood cycle is 3 weeks. Before new bees emerge, 50% package bees will be dead. After 4 weeks colony is ready to expand when brood hatches.
Bees take care of new room, if they are able to use it. There is no advantage to make them draw combs at the beginning. After 5-6 weeks colony is double. Then it is easier to make new combs.

Quote
These are italions and I understand that they can be kind of lazy and depend on syrup as long as it is present.

Italian are best bees in the world. If you fill with syrup he hive, every hive will stop working and it swarms. Bees are not lazy.
They will not work after your opinion.

I suppose that you have summer there. Bees gather honey and pollen from nature. You feed so much that they have stores enough for bad weathers.

If you have 5 combs. Alltogether one frames should be full of sugar/honey and others are for brood.
I have much small colonies fo mating nuds. I have one honey frame half full, half pollen frames and 1-2 for brood.

If occupation is 5 frames, bees are able to brood 3 frames and 2 side frames are for food.
If hive room is tight, it is warm and 3 brood frames give 7-9 frames hatched bees.

It means that after 4 brooding weeks you should have whole box full of bees. - if you do not fill your hive with syrup.
After 8 weeks you should have 3-4 box full of bees, 2 box brood and one box honey.

.

.

3, 3 pound packages installed on April 23 and I have fed a total of 1.5 gallons syrup per hive. Probably more than some would feed, and probably less than others would. I have not kept a constant source of syrup so they have had to work for a living to a certain degree. They are by no means syrup bound. I'm optimistic since I haven't seen the bees in 10 days as I'm swimming in the Gulf of Mexico... :-)

PS: Good post Finsky

Kathyp · May 25, 2007, 07:42:42 PM

where did you buy your water proof computer? i'd like one for oregon weather. :-)

i take it you put on your extra boxes before you took off for your vacation?

Michael Bush · May 25, 2007, 07:47:40 PM

>Once there is sufficient nectar available, they will stop taking syrup.

I have not found this to always be true.

Mklangelo · May 25, 2007, 07:59:29 PM

Quote from: kathyp on May 25, 2007, 07:42:42 PM
where did you buy your water proof computer? i'd like one for oregon weather. :-)

i take it you put on your extra boxes before you took off for your vacation?

Hi Kathy,

I did put the boxes on before I left for Florida for two of my three hives. It was a bit early but I knew that it would be time while to do it before I got back. Better early than late.

No computer in Panama City Beach. I'm back in Tallahassee where I have access to one...

:-D

PS: Back to Wisconsin Tomorrow...