From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 08:02:16 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: In the process of regression

Hi to all on Biological Beekeeping

Clay wrote:

> Regression of first colony is coming along. Six frames are 1/3 drawn out.
Feeding via division board feeder and inverted jar. Combs appear to be
drawn at 4.98-5.0mm. Two starter strips ripped free however bees built
their own comb on top bar the same size as the adjacent strips. All in all
looks good but going very slow.

Reply:

Sounds fine so far. Let bees proceed at own pace. Things will change once
emerging brood comes on scene.

.. Liquefying honey right now to feed to the four colonies that will be
regressed tomorrow ( 1/3 of process is natural food). Question: Most
colonies that will be regressed have bees in three brood chambers with bees
from head to toe. Will they all fit in a single deep as they are very, very
strong?

Reply:

For the most part the bees will fit in. Remember you are taking away drawn
out combs that take up space and also the brood which will give a drop in
new numbers adding, and at the same time you will be losing old bees during
the process. This will give plenty of bees to hang on the new undrawn
foundation, to draw it out fast, on a run! With ample bees and feed, you can
draw fast, and super fast, another super of 4.9mm, and the queen should pour
the brood for fast recovery.

If not should I shake some bees into nuc's to strengthen as they are moving
to my home yard to replace losses which were very high (higher than ever
before due to resistant varroa in my area and other factors).

Reply:

NO!

> Also in general how many frames of brood can be given to weaker
colonies(4-6 frames, I have never practiced donating brood without adhering
bees) without over taxing the bees(many frames of brood in those to be
regressed)?

Reply:

Only give enough that you think the bees can cover and keep warm. Remember
that you can always pyrimad on top in another super and let the warmth from
below come up. But if you have to, only give 1-2 frames of new brood to weak
colonies so as not to over tax them on capability and thus create problems.
This will also help you strengthen more nucs.

> Temps are above 60 degrees pollen is abundant.

This is good! Pollen will stimulate brood production and to the small side
with honey being fed in feeders with this temp.

Dee