From: Barry Birkey <barry@birkey.com>
Date: Sun, 06 Jan 2002 20:25:45 -0600
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Food chambers

From: "Allen Dick"

>> I think the practise of a few in certain circumstances has become a
>> universal truth, yes?
>
> Well, only if you wish to disregard the studies that have attempted to
> examine this matter.

I don't wish to disregard any study on this topic. I am all ears for reading
any of them you may have. I have heard others give reference to studies that
would show refined sugar as being less than best for bees, with many
elements lacking that honey provides.

> There are *no* studies I have ever heard of that disprove that refined white
> sugar is a superior wintering feed for honeybees. Nor are there *any* that
> show any deleterious effects in feeding refined white sugar syrup.

Common sense would say that feeding anything refined to animals can not be
"superior" over their natural, God given food. Unless their natural food is
somehow contaminated.

> Practical experience by professional beekeepers has shown time and again
> that some honies can be damaging or fatal to wintering bees and is a cause
> of concern to those who winter, myself included.

Practical experience by any beekeeper will expose feed problems. Your
reasons above are not heard very often. What is voiced repeatedly is "why
would I let the bees winter on good honey when I can sell it for a good
price and feed them syrup that is much cheaper?" In this case, it has
nothing to do with your concerns about poor quality honey.

> Good honey is a good winter feed. So is refined white sugar.

Good honey is the norm for bees, winter, spring, summer and fall. Refined
white sugar is the exception, and should only be used when absolutely
necessary. Somehow these have gotten switched around in beekeeping.
My POV anyway.

Regards,
Barry