another spring question..wisdom needed

[hikerboy]

So I was concerned that my girls might not migrate down to the lower deep without a little nudging, but they did! All the comb is drawn for both deeps, with brood in about 7 frames on top and I'm not sure how many on the bottom, but I imagine around 5ish (judging by the amount of bees).

So I offer these questions two:

1-With the weather warming and things blooming, should I stop feeding? They've been taking the syrup pretty quickly (gal per week?)

2-Do they need more space for the brood (i.e. another deep or medium)? I have 2 mediums (just foundation) that I was reserving for honey but will throw a medium on to give them ample space, what do you think?

and the bonus question:

When should I add the queen excluder/medium for honey?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom!

[Michael Bush]

>1-With the weather warming and things blooming, should I stop feeding? They've been taking the syrup pretty quickly (gal per week?)

I would.

>2-Do they need more space for the brood (i.e. another deep or medium)? I have 2 mediums (just foundation) that I was reserving for honey but will throw a medium on to give them ample space, what do you think?

Two deeps is probably sufficient.

>When should I add the queen excluder/medium for honey?

Never? If you insist, I'd wait until they are working the super and then add the excluder.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#excluders

[hikerboy]

Thanks for the insight Mr. Bush...

What's the logic behind not feeding them anymore? Because there should be ample nectar now?

Is 'working' synonymous with drawing comb?

[Ben Brewcat]

Feeding syrup can induce them to draw comb, but the risk is that they'll store syrup to the point that their cells for brood rearing are mostly taken and the queen can't really get a good pattern going. If you keep feeding, make sure to check frequently and if they're saving up much syrup for sure cut it off. Also there's the risk of contaminating a honey crop, if you're hoping to harvest on year 1. If not it's not a worry they'll consume it over winter at the latest.

[Michael Bush]

>What's the logic behind not feeding them anymore? Because there should be ample nectar now?

Assuming an ample flow of nectar, yes.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm#when

>Is 'working' synonymous with drawing comb?

Yes. Once they are drawing comb and storing nectar in the super, they will tend to continue to do so after you add the excluder.

If you want to use an excluder you also might want to read this:
http://www.beesource.com/pov/hayes/abjaug85.htm

[hikerboy]

Thanks for the info!

Hmmmm...that article suggests that they'll possibly yield more honey if I close off the bottom entrance and provide an upper entrance above the excluder. Any other literature to support this or refute this? I suppose that's the million dollar question.

As I only have 1 hive, I think this year I'll put the honey super on (sans excluder) and let them do their thing and just keep an eye on them.

[beehoppers]

The study Michael noted would be something without the skunk trouble. At any rate, I'm going to try a middle entrance with an excluder. Seems like a cool way to make a lot of honey...

[Michael Bush]

>Hmmmm...that article suggests that they'll possibly yield more honey if I close off the bottom entrance and provide an upper entrance above the excluder.

Be sure to leave the drones an exit from the brood nest, they can't get through the excluder either.