Honey bees in feed

[pibb]

It's been unseasonably warm here, so much so that I've noticed new grass coming up like it's spring time. I noticed a couple honey bees landing in the chicken feed it looked like they were eating it. They should disappear when the weather turns off cold again but I'm sure they will be back at some point. Should I be worried about this?

 

[BlueBaby]

Does the feed that you are using list molasses as one of the ingredient's? Bee's love the sweet stuff!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Don't worry. They're after pollen and the protein contained therein.
Welcome to climate change.

 

[pibb]

I don't see anything sweet listed.

Do they think the feed is pollen? I guess it does look like pollen to me since some of it is basically powder and tan colored.

 

[sourland]

The unusual temperatures are very likely encouraging the queen to start laying, and as @ChickenCanoe has said they are looking for pollen or a protein substitute.

 

[ngennetta]

Hello! I am a beekeeper as well, and have experienced this with my bees.

This time of year, the bees are active when they should be huddled up in their hive. The bees like to be busy (ya know, busy busy bees) and are out foraging for feed. The feed dust is very similar to pollen to the bees, and may contain some sugars and minerals, therefore they mistakenly collect it to feed their colony since no flowers are available.

Unfortunately there is no way to stop them, however they also do not pose any threat to you or the birds. Once the flowers pop up, they will move along!