I'm trying to get back in the habit of weekly videos. Sorry, I've missed a few weeks. Just been spending time with the family instead of the camera. lol Have a great day!!
Great news on the book! Though sorry about your losses...I've lost two so far. Fingers crossed we don't lose any more. It was 72°F on the 9th here in central MO, whereas same time last year last year it was a high of 34°F with overnights well below freezing (our usual Feb weather). The maples are budding out already which is too early, and the bees have been bringing a bit of pollen in here and there, but I don't feed pollen patties for the very reason you stated. What's crazy is that it's been in the 70's here this weekend, but when I just let the pups out a few minutes ago (Sunday evening), I saw that it's snowing out! Looks like 2nd Winter is starting to make its rounds.
Yes, I am excited. It seems like the book has taken years to get to this point but it's only been about 16 months. lol What a project!! As for the losses, I try not to let it get me down. It won't take much work to gain those 7 colonies back. The weather is a mess, I sure hope frost don't hit our Black Locust this year. It's gotta be hard on these early blooming trees. Keep warm spring is getting closer!
like your vid, but a bit confused now. I am new to feeding bees other than sugar water, however, it seemed that they no longer wanted the sugar water, and left it for days. I notice specs of maybe black poo on the front porch so I believe they don't just want sugar water. So, I thought that bees also eat pollen that was stored, so, if I shouldn't feed pollen patties when they no longer want sugar water what is left to feed not to make them make brood to early? any way thanks for the heads up I was going to get some pollen patties tomorrow but Ill wait for your reply thanx again.
Pollen patties are protein and protein encourages brood rearing. However they do make a winter patty that is mostly carbs, great to feed overwinter. In the winter offer syrup is bad for the hive as it increase moisture in the colony that could drip on the bees and kill them. I'd suggest making sugar cakes or just offering dry sugar on a piece of newspaper, that is called the Moutain Camp method. You could also try feeding the Hive Alive fondant patties. Good luck!
Last several warm days, my bees have been all over our chicken and goose grains! I actually tried some insulation board around my hive this winter because I had a sheet of it that was in my barn loft since we bought the place 😂 We are pretty wide open here for the strongest winter winds and I wanted to use it mostly for some wind blockage. No way for me to say insulation was the right thing but my bees are doing great so far, so I'm calling it a win 😁 Cheers, Jason!
Had that scientist developer of that new AFB vaccine call Friday said it's also 83 % effective on deformed wing virus.. could very well be that silver bullet were looking for. I'm signed up for the program told them sign me up
Eastern Ok ,adair County . Feb 9 Elm and Silver Maple full bloom 55 degrees for high. All colony 's overwinterd so far . Looking to split early and have a good honey crop . GOD willing.
I thought I seen pollen coming in the other day but turned out neighbor set out pollen for his bees. Maples are starting bud already here as well. Weird weather for sw iowa.
So the neighbor's have bees too, that's cool. I am curious if that causes any issues for you with your bees? Like robbing? Spring is coming just not soon enough.
@@JCsBees it is kinda a headache not knowing when he's feeding or if he's treating for mites. I try to keep them on the same page as myself so I don't end up with any surprises
I do maple syrup here in Vinton county and last year red maples where starting to bloom around this date. It looks like some are already blooming this year as the bees are trucking in pollen. I open feed pollen sub aslo, no patties in the hives.
@@JCsBees Yes, Red Maples are always the first trees to bloom( soft maple) and usually the first indicator of springs arrival. Good for bees, bad for maple syrup producers that depend on red maples. Sugar maples ( hard maple) will bloom much later along with other hardwood trees.
Lots of practical knowledge shared in this video, Jason! Good job. Yes to the skunk cabbage pollen coming in. Seeing some birdseed/chicken feed fines also but an amazing about of skunk cabbage in SE Ohio! So right about “2nd Winter”. Sorry about seeing some loss.
I've heard about the skunk cabbage many times before but never really put much effort in researching it until I seen this pollen. It really blew my mind to see pollen already. Thanks for taking time to comment! I love seeing new names in the comments!
These warm days the bees are burning up any sugar on light colonies, one nuc will consume a pound a week if the stores are gone. I make sugar bricks and starting in early Feb was adding 2% protein (similar to winter patty or candy) to maintain brood with the warm days and freezing nights. There is not enough growth to throw down any high protein patty, and supplies are really expensive (I'm looking at a 40# box of Bee-Pro as its still reasonable). Just saw an old Kaymen video feeding patty in early Feb with snow (LOL).
You are so right! This weather is a mess. Sure I am enjoying the warmer days but it's hard on so many things like our bees. Not to mention the plants and trees. Sounds like you have a good feeding program setup for your bees. Nice job! I guess Kamen does things different. lol Some beekeepers push their bees really hard to start building up, I would guess that's what he does.
Oh no,sorry about the bee loss, this video was awesome always so much information, I've fed mine a bit of hive alive and small piece of pollen patty oopsy that's coming out. Cold here still, maybe 46 today. Any warmer weather and bee's are out exploring, love seeing that.
Sadly loss is part of beekeeping. It used to get me down but anymore I know it won't take long to get back the lost numbers. Yes, I would remove the pollen patty asap. You don't want them to go brood crazy too soon. High of 47 here today, snow coming tonight. No fun!!
