could my bees bee an issue?

[wannabe4birds]

I'm nowhere even near beginning (no coop yet, etc), but I am a beekeeper (of 3 years).

SO ... my backyard's kinda small (maybe 100X50, not including jungle), with small pond, fruit trees, veg/herb garden. If a coop's erected in the garden (at a point maybe 45' from my several bee hives), would that cause a problem for chickens? Is there a reason the bees would make mischief for the birds? Right off .... I know the bees look for any and all water sources (my pond's OK, but I keep a # of water-filled flowerpot trays around), and I can imagine, if the birds have a water-supplier, bees could congregate on any apertures where water might seep. Do chickens eat honeybees? That could be a memorable meal.

Much obliged for any input/anecdotes/experience/thoughts on this .....

Mitch

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm not a beekeeper but we have some on the sister gardening site that also keeps chickens. I can't remember who. You can always go over there and ask the question, the link is at the bottom of this page.

The bees will not cause a problem for the chickens. The chickens will eat bees but probably not enough to cause a significant population decline in the hive, especially if the chickens do not have access to the hive. That's going off of memory of some of the discussions I've seen over there.

 

[lcwmt]

we have beehives and chickens.
The chickens do not seem interested in the bees; they do not chase after them the way they do grasshoppers or ground bugs. Likewise, the bees are not interested in the chickens. They really do not occupy the same spaces or compete for resources.

The honey bees will tank up on whatever water is available, as you know. If there is a teaspoon or so of apple cider vinegar in the chickens waterer, the bees leave it alone.

In earliest warm weather the bees do seem drawn to the chicken feed, especially crumbles in bowls. The "dust" is a high protein pollen substitute. In the past there has been some low quality bird seed for the feeders, the bees liked that dust as well)