View Full Version : Open Feeding of Pollen
Sundance
10-04-2006, 02:00 PM
Has anyone tried or heard of open feeding
of pollen patties?? I would like to stimulate
some fall brood and my OB hive got me to
think about the prospect.
Gregg
10-04-2006, 02:38 PM
I have heard (but not done it myself) of open feeding dry pollen, but not pollen patties.
Sundance
10-04-2006, 02:59 PM
Well I'll toss one outside and see....
Thanks Gregg
CWBees
10-04-2006, 05:46 PM
I placed Bee Pro at the entrance to my ob hive and the bees have been cleaning it up. However I hope it does not attract robbing of the hive.
Michael Bush
10-04-2006, 07:11 PM
I've had good luck with pollen or pollen mixed with soy flour, or, in desperation, straight expellor processed soy flour. I just put it on a solid bottom board with a box and a lid on it.
Sundance
10-04-2006, 07:28 PM
Good idea MB
iddee
10-04-2006, 07:53 PM
Sundance, I put some out on my back porch tonight. I'll tell you what they do tommorrow. It's supposed to get into the eighties, so they should be working. Also, since I know you use global, DON"T FREEZE IT.
I had some to start molding, so I figured freezing it would stop the mold.
It made a total gooey mess. It does not freeze solid, but does freeze enough to be impossible to seperate and when it thaws, it collects moisture and is like honey mixed with paper.
drobbins
10-04-2006, 08:00 PM
iddee
maybe you could store it in a tuperware thing with some of those dissecant things in it
Dave
Sundance
10-04-2006, 08:08 PM
"DON"T FREEZE IT."
Opps!!!! Too late I froze a case and
a half. I would guess that seperating
them while still frozen may be easier??
I'll find out.........
Sundance
10-04-2006, 09:40 PM
Iddee....... just got back from the
deep freeze and with the help of the
ol' hive tool I was able to seperate
the frozen patties fairly well. I can
see that if I allow them to thaw it
would be nasty!!
Just bought a blue rodent feeding station from Mann Lake to feed dry pollen sub starting in Dec. or Jan. Will use patties also. If they can fly they seem to like the dry better.
BjornBee
10-05-2006, 05:40 AM
I have used open feeding of dry pollen substitute. It works well.
honeyman46408
10-05-2006, 06:05 AM
"I have used open feeding of dry pollen substitute. It works well."
Coons also like it :(
iddee
10-05-2006, 06:27 AM
>>some of those dissecant thing<<
Dave, don't use those 35 cent words on this old country boy. Say it in English. :eek: smile.gif
Sundance, I'm glad you had sucess. I didn't fare so well. I totally destroyed one. That's why it's on the back porch. I managed to get 6 or 7 apart that are still usable, but they are not in the best of shape. I will find a cool place in the basement in the future, not the freezer.
Sundance
10-05-2006, 07:44 AM
The kicker Iddee is that I called the
maker and asked about freezing and they
said it was "no problem". I got them apart
but I am not looking forward to doing it
on nearly 2 cases!
If I use them again I will freeze them each
seperately on a baking sheet and them pop
them back in the box.
power napper
10-05-2006, 07:50 AM
Sundance--you stated observation hive. I just drop the kernals of pollen through one of the top vent screens to give the o h pollen.
Sundance
10-05-2006, 08:14 AM
Good idea PN.....
iddee
10-05-2006, 12:48 PM
It is 84 F. here at 2:42 PM. The pollen patty has been on the rail of my uncovered back porch since yesterday. 5 hives 75 feet from the patty and facing it. The hives are working GR so heavy the yard smells like 16 dead elephants. "I don't like the smell of GR honey. Can you tell?"
There has not been a bee on the pollen patty yet.
Sundance, They're right. No problem freezing...The problem comes afterward. :D :D
power napper
10-05-2006, 02:10 PM
iddee--when you do not have any honey at all sixteen dead elephants smell like perfume.
drobbins
10-05-2006, 02:48 PM
iddee
I'm talking about those little packets that they put in all kinds of stuff to absorb moisture
stuff like this
http://www.silicagelpackets.com/
I wouldn't be surprised if you use them at work to protect machines from moisture
Dave
Aspera
10-06-2006, 06:12 AM
.
Put out some dry pollen sub and they are starting to take it.
JohnK and Sheri
10-09-2006, 08:14 AM
If you are having trouble getting the bees to take dry pollen even though they are flying, it might be because they aren't attracted to the smell. Bait them with a bit of honey, they will investigate that and pretty soon will be rolling in the pollen.
Sheri
[ October 10, 2006, 07:20 AM: Message edited by: JohnK and Sheri ]
NW IN Beekeeper
10-09-2006, 07:05 PM
[Bait them...]
Good advice, it has also been said that a little vitamin C crushed and added help add attractiveness and it also acts as a preservative.
JEFF