How to feed pollen

[W. Peters]

I know that my bees are low on pollen right now, and I figure that now is about the time for the queens to begin laying. But this will be a little difficult if pollen reserves are low. This leads me to the options of feeding pollen to my bees. I have a bag of pollen pellets, so I sprinkled some on the entrance to the hives. After checking the next day, the landing pads were completely cleared, however, there was also evidence of squirrels or some other animal that may have come by and helped themselves. Is there an easier way to feed pollen pellets? I would rather use these since they are what I have, but I have also heard of pollen patties. Is there a form of pollen that the bees would not eat? Would they pick pollen pellets up from the hive floor? Should I make pollen patties out of my pollen pellets? Advice anyone?

[Allen Dick]

Some sprinkle them into cells and add a little syrup over top. Others make patties with sugar and water.

I think the patties are best, but pollen does not make a very good patty. The patties fall apart and amy have to be put on some waxed paper on the top bars. Short slits, made with a sharp knife in the paper can let the bees eat from below without going around the edge.

[standman]

I mixed my patties with just honey and pollen, and placed it as close to the brood as I could (choose a warm day). So far, so good. They have not taken all of it yet, but they had a good bit of stores left as well. As mentioned, I sandwiched mine between sheets of wax paper, and cut some slits in it. You can adjust your mix to make it as thick or thin as you like. To be honest, it doesn't look that great, but it smells good enough that I was tempted to take a bite of it myself!

[riverrat]

Im about 30 miles from you. I generally dont feed pollen patties unless I plan on doing some splits. there is usually good amounts of pollen comming in way before the flow starts If I was to put on pollen patties I would wait until mid feb before putting them on. its still pretty cold here. and you would still have plenty of time to build up for the spring flow. You dont want to get to much brood where the bees cannot keep it warm when the temps drop at night.

[Michael Bush]

I've fed pollen as patties, but have just as good of luck feeding pollen in an open feeder. I just put the loose pollen in an empty hive with no frames on a SBB over a solid bottom board.

[Allen Dick]

I was looking at the weather in Derby, Kansas, and would guess the bees don't get out much there these days.

If you want to feed right now, one of the in-hive methiods is likely to work better than an outside method.

That having been said, outside methods work well when there is good flying weather, your colonies are even in strength and fairly strong, and there are no neaby neighbours.

Otherwise, putting the feed in the hive assures equal division between colonies, all-weather accessibility, and security from neighbouring bees and .varmints.

The suggestion to use honey for patties is a good one, since the patties will hold together better than using sugar.

[BEES4U]

You can make a pollen paste and smear it into drawn out comb and place it on the outside of the brood nest where the bees can feed on it 24/7.
The paste is made by adding a small amount of water to the pollen and let it sit overnight. Add granulated sugar the next morning and feed the hive. Any extra pollen paste can be frozen for later use.
Regards,
Ernie