Ribh's D'Coopage

[Shadrach]

Bees are clever. All that sticky looking resin @ the entrance to the hive is a predator deterrent. I'm sure honey bees will work something out. Do you harvest your hives, Shad, or let them be? I'm the one that pushed for the hives but have to admit the man has done all the practical research & I'm just following along. I will watch & learn.

The bee hives were here when the current owners bought the place. The guy who owned the hives had a few dotted around the area. He got too old to keep up with them all and we inherited 4 hives. I'm not the one who looks after the bees here although I know a bit about them and have the bee suit etc. Last year I think we got about 80 kilos of honey over three harvests.

 

[Ribh]

The bee hives were here when the current owners bought the place. The guy who owned the hives had a few dotted around the area. He got too old to keep up with them all and we inherited 4 hives. I'm not the one who looks after the bees here although I know a bit about them and have the bee suit etc. Last year I think we got about 80 kilos of honey over three harvests.

Wow. That's not bad! I'm looking forward to seeing what our lots honey actually tastes like. Native honey is stronger in flavour & the bees have quite an assortment of stuff to feed on.

 

[MaryJanet]

I've been wondering about your bees Ribh! It's good to see how they're going!

 

[Ribh]

I've been wondering about your bees Ribh! It's good to see how they're going!

Thanks, MJ. We reached our 7KG around Feb so it's definitely time to split the hive before the bees decide to do it themselves. Definitely low maintenance!

 

[Shadrach]

Are the chicks doing well in their new home?

Shortly after you asked how they were doing I got this email from him.

Good evening!

Thank you so much for sending and shearing with us their beautiful history!
They are doing great and in a few days we will try to get them out of the “galliner” for the first time!

A big hug from my family too,

Tomeu

 

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

 

[Grammy60]

Good evening everyone

 

[BY Bob]

Thank you everyone for your concern for Marlow's health.
He appears to be fine again & enjoying his creature comforts as only a cat can.
Yes, that's my chair ~ & he has no qualms whatsoever about hogging it completely!

Neither cat was impressed when the transport people carted this stuff into their house but both cats spent the entire day slothed on their new lounge yesterday.
Pretty sure it's been approved @ the highest levels.

View attachment 2104203
Kirby prefers the other end. He tends to blend. Without his white showing he's in danger of being sat upon.
View attachment 2104207​

That is the only blessing that any furniture ever needs. The kitty seal of approval.


I'm so glad Marlow is doing better.

 

[BY Bob]

Some of you might remember this:
This is our native beehive.
It sits on a stump behind the chicken coop, right next to the lotus pond, where it has quietly been doing its thing all year.
View attachment 2104262
Well, the man has just ordered a 2nd box & we are about to do our 1st induction.
This is a non violent way of encouraging bees to starting using a new hive & once a queen egg is set we can separate the hives completely.
This should be interesting.
The new hive apparently has a viewing window...​

Wow! A viewing window would be very cool!

 

[BY Bob]

We have bees here. There were 7 active hives but now it's down to three. The Asian Hornet arrived a couple of years ago.

That is not good. I'm very sorry to hear that.