🐝💗Our Backyard Beekeeping Journey!💗🐝

[Sally PB]

First snow. Hubby replaced the pieces on the top with a fitted foam lid. You can see how deep the snow was on the cinder block.

I put my ear down by the opening and heard a very healthy buzz.

 

[R2elk]

Sun is shining, wind is relatively light, temp in the 60⁰Fs.

 

[drstratton]

Sun is shining, wind is relatively light, temp in the 60⁰Fs.
View attachment 4249674View attachment 4249675

The girls are enjoying that!

 

[Apis mellifera]

Snow here, mountains are in full snow making mode now. No more full flying until spring. The nuc I decided to feed is taking the fondant.

 

[drstratton]

Snow here, mountains are in full snow making mode now. No more full flying until spring. The nuc I decided to feed is taking the fondant.

Do they take the fondant from below?

 

[Apis mellifera]

Do they take the fondant from below?

Yes, I just cut a hole in the ziploc bag and place it over the inner cover. They can metabolize invert sugar quicker.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/🐝💗our-backyard-beekeeping-journey-💗🐝.1670607/post-28894909

 

[drstratton]

Yes, I just cut a hole in the ziploc bag and place it over the inner cover. They can metabolize invert sugar quicker.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/our-backyard-beekeeping-journey-.1670607/post-28894909

I remember this post, but in my mind and mind you, my mind is off today, lol, was thinking the hole was on top. Thinking it could possibly drop down into the frames.
Thank you!

 

[Apis mellifera]

Thinking it could possibly drop down into the frames.

It's how fondant is fed. I've never had any issues with it. In hot weather it may drop down, but by then you would be feeding syrup anyway. Bees can store fondant like syrup.

 

[drstratton]

It's how fondant is fed. I've never had any issues with it. In hot weather it may drop down, but by then you would be feeding syrup anyway. Bees can store fondant like syrup.

Thank you! We'll be pulling the syrup, insulating and adding sugar bricks, hopefully within a week. I might see if my husband is willing to try fondant on one of the hives.

 

[Apis mellifera]

Thank you! We'll be pulling the syrup, insulating and adding sugar bricks, hopefully within a week. I might see if my husband is willing to try fondant on one of the hives.

I don't have much experience with feeding dry sugar but a condensing hive like @Sally PB setup is perfect for dry feeding. I've had very good results with condensing hives. Bees need water to use dry sugar, and a condensing hive gives them the water they need. But it is important to have less insulation on the sides than the top for condensation to form.