Thread: Beekeeping

Originally Posted by 32t

I have read that the colder the weather the less food they need for the winter because they are not as active.

Then again they will starve to death within a few inches of food in the hive because they will not move the cluster over to eat it.

Yes/No. Depends on where your Queen came from, originally. Say you buy your queen from, say Fl., which is a common distributor of Queens and "Starter" packs. Well, she (and they) are 'programed' via DNA to live/mate/produce in a certain number of days. Whereas, just the opposite if you acquire a Queen/starter pack from a northern region.


Yes, to the 2nd. They will 'Defend' the hive, come hell or high water...even if it means keeping it warm vs starving to death!

Originally Posted by 32t

If a drone is still alive in the fall the workers [females] will kick them out because they will not contribute and will do nothing but eat.

True 'dat. Which, ultimately is their demise!

The packages that I started my hives from are from California. A friend has already ordered some NUCs locally but I think the time for ordering them has passed. I think that I will order from the California based ones again for this year.

For those that don't know a NUC is a "mini" hive of about 5 frames with foundation built and brood already started. There are some local breeders that sell them that way and have developed their own hybrid strains that they like for this area.

Originally Posted by 32t

The packages that I started my hives from are from California. A friend has already ordered some NUCs locally but I think the time for ordering them has passed. I think that I will order from the California based ones again for this year.

For those that don't know a NUC is a "mini" hive of about 5 frames with foundation built and brood already started. There are some local breeders that sell them that way and have developed their own hybrid strains that they like for this area.

You don't have to answer this,,,,
Is Bee Keeping at your level, just starting out, able to produce you enough product to cover investment or is it like wet shaving, a labor of love?

Originally Posted by Hirlau

You don't have to answer this,,,,
Is Bee Keeping at your level, just starting out, able to produce you enough product to cover investment or is it like wet shaving, a labor of love?

At my level definitely NO! I could try to justify it that I have cut way back on the sugar costs and presents and gifts that I have shared would have cost me a lot.... I am still smiling though.

I have a friend that has worked up to 25 or so hives, that goes to farmers markets etc. and I think without looking at his books but talking to him he could say that he is covering costs. But when I see the amount of time he invests I wouldn't think that the return would make him a lot per hour.

If I order 4 more packages and 2 of my hives make it through the winter I will have to split those 2 and I will end up with 8 hives. In that scenario I will either end up with oodles of honey in my basement and a mad spouse or I will have to try to market some and get a return on my investment.

But your having fun doing it right?

Originally Posted by Hirlau

But your having fun doing it right?

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I do love honey on chicken. I had some today.

Originally Posted by Hirlau

I do love honey on chicken. I had some today.

Next fall I may have a deal for you.

Buy 2 gallons and get one free? You pay shipping of course!

My bees have been out flying with the warmer weather. They were even bringing in pollen Saturday and Sunday - which is really unusual for Cincinnati.

Last week I opened up the one hive (I have two) which I would consider the weaker of the two and there were a lot of active bees. I stuck in about 1 pound of winter patty feed to hedge the bets on food.

Where for the remainder of the month here is going to be in the 30's and 40's. Just need to get them through February and they should be fine. Last year I lost a hive - the queen must have died during the winter because there weren't many bees left and the only larva in the cells were drones so a worker must have started laying.