I started some new hives from nucs and packages. I had some drawn comb for some and undrawn frames for others. I know I should feed the bees with undrawn frames but if I feed the hives with drawn comb won't they just fill the comb instead of raising brood ( I have 2 deeps on the hives). Should I go ahead and add supers for them to start storing honey, but I don't really want them to store syrup? Too many questions? LOL
feeding new hives?
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Most will say feed until you get to the desired hive size for overwintering. However, you do not have to feed if you have a flow on. They normally will do just fine on the natural stuff. If they are not to the desired size when your flow starts tailing off is when you really need to feed.
Will they build a bigger hive of just fill the drawn comb with syrup and get honey bound? I guess that would be (syrup bound). LOL
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I also have a similar question. I just installed two nucs and filled the rest with foundationless frames. I thought i had read that right now you don't need to feed. Is this true or should i be feeding. Iam in the Midwest. Is there somewhere i can go to find out theflows around me? Thanks
Jayhawk,
Check out this link for general flow info in your area:
http://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/Honeybees/ForageRegion.php?StReg=MO_10
Feeding a new hive is kind of a personal preference during a flow. I don't like to mess with it if I can avoid it. Others, however, will say "when in doubt-FEED!" Place one of the foundationless frames right in the middle of the brood nest of the drawn frames that came with the nuc. If they begin pulling it out quickly you have your answer -there is a flow on and you don't have to feed.
Check out this link for general flow info in your area:
http://honeybeenet.gsfc.nasa.gov/Honeybees/ForageRegion.php?StReg=MO_10
Feeding a new hive is kind of a personal preference during a flow. I don't like to mess with it if I can avoid it. Others, however, will say "when in doubt-FEED!" Place one of the foundationless frames right in the middle of the brood nest of the drawn frames that came with the nuc. If they begin pulling it out quickly you have your answer -there is a flow on and you don't have to feed.
In al things bees, I try to imagine a feral hive.
No one feeds a swarm when they move into a new hive. No one provides them drawn comb. No one tells them which direction to draw comb, nor what the right size for their opening is. No one tells them where their tree (or whatever structure) should be in relation to whatever crops may (or may NOT) bloom in the coming months.
I think we often try to overcome a LOT of variables that the bees either don't bother with, or instinctively know what to do with. Perhaps that's why there are SO MANY "correct" beeks out there, eh? No matter what we throw at them, the bees are able to make it work for them. Pretty awesome, are our little ladies o' the hive!!
No one feeds a swarm when they move into a new hive. No one provides them drawn comb. No one tells them which direction to draw comb, nor what the right size for their opening is. No one tells them where their tree (or whatever structure) should be in relation to whatever crops may (or may NOT) bloom in the coming months.
I think we often try to overcome a LOT of variables that the bees either don't bother with, or instinctively know what to do with. Perhaps that's why there are SO MANY "correct" beeks out there, eh? No matter what we throw at them, the bees are able to make it work for them. Pretty awesome, are our little ladies o' the hive!!
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