Michigan

[chikkaboomboom]

I have done some Bee keeping research, the start up cost kinda got me though, I have to look for a forum on bee keeping like BYC, last summer I read alot about a fungus that was wiping out everyones hives...
Honey Bees are really interesting ...If I find a decent web sight I will be sure to link it.
Stay warm!

 

[A2SciTeach]

I have had bees off and on. The start up cost is quite prohibitive unless you can find someone who is getting out of bees. Going to a class or joining a beekeeper association is a good way to get connected with other bee people. Southeastern bee keepers have a meeting coming up on March 19th - lots of equipment and opportunity to take a year-long course, if you are in the SE area. Here's the link:

http://www.sembabees.org/

and a link to the Michigan beekeeper org. http://www.michiganbees.org/

Bees are fun but by no means a "no-brainer" much trickier than chickens in my opinion.

 

[SillyChicken]

Thanks for the bee info!

We had to get DH to the air port at 6am. We were on the road at 4:30 the trucks were out, I didn't think the roads were too bad.. I almost nailed one guy cause he was indesisive about what lane he wanted to be in (while traveling in both lanes)... and decided he wanted in front of me at the last second... no turn signal.....idiot!

I wish we could go after the county for vehicle damage... I hit a buckled up section in the road so hard I think I bent my rim and being an HHR-SS, they won't be cheap!!

Looking forward to watching the snow fall from my office today.. hmm maybe I'll be able to leave early!!

 

[chikkaboomboom]

Every one slow down and be safe for this storm! Thanks for the Bee info great sight!

 

[newchickky]

wish me luck. I have to take my kid to school, then attempt to get groceries with my 2 year old. I was hearing that the shelves were cleared out last night. hope they had time to restock. I am not looking forward to shopping with mr. crabby pants in a crowded grocery store

 

[Olive Hill]

Morning all!

For those who are wanting bees for pollination, but are not necessarily set on having honey, you may want to look into Mason Bees; also called Orchard Mason Bees. They don't have as prohibitive a start up cost and their maintenance requirements are lower, but they're still excellent pollinators. They just don't produce honey.

Planting to attract bees can also help draw in what is already present in your area. Borage, Lavender, Honeysuckle, et. al.

 

[chikkaboomboom]

My neighbors down the road have honey bees, looks like I might be getting friendly with them..lol

 

[Jake Levi]

The initial cost for bee hives is pricey, but after that the upkeep is minimal, to do it over I would put a very good sealer on the hives, it will pay, by far the most economical way to get started is to buy hives from someone who is getting out of bees, you really have to watch for those but they do happen. One thing I found out also is it pays to feed the bees in early spring and any winter thaw, a quart jar of sugar water and honey in a hive opening feeder(bee supplies catalog) is money in the bank to get the bees off to a good strong start. I also planted a lot of flowering plants for all the season especially late summer for when the big honey runs were between blooms, typically there is a big flow when fruit trees bloom and then another when alfalfa and trefoil and others bloom then a dip in late summer, thats when feeding and yard plants can make a big difference.

Also, one thing that also helps is to put a different color top super on each hive, and mix them checkerboard pattern if you use the same color more then once, I used red, orange, yellow, green and blue, if used it more then once put them apart where the hives are, it saves the bees time and energy when they are returning to the hives loaded.

There are some good bee mags, google them, great ads on supplies and new bees and articles on keeping them.

 

[chickflick]

Ready for the snow?? Not really looking forward to it. Lots of shoveling out of the chicken runs.

Got my second cortisone shot in my foot today. Waiting for the pain to hit. Man, last time it hurt like heck! This time I took some Advil before the shot. Hope it helps! Have a good one and stay safe!

 

[Olive Hill]

For the first time EVER! I thought of one good thing about living where it's cold: snow, not ice. Those south of us are getting an ice storm, rather than a snow storm because it's not as cold there as it is here. Ice is much, MUCH more likely to knock out the power. We can now add one pro to the list of roughly one million cons.

You all can thank me for that little revelation later. Preferably with gifts. Of cash.