Author Topic: New hives very busy (Read 5844 times)

Hagrid61 · « **on:** June 19, 2012, 09:31:48 am »

Hi everyone,
Just thought I'd let you all know, our two new colonies are coming on in leaps and bounds.
Three weeks on from getting them and I have had to put supers on top of both.
The warm weather and bits of sun between showers and the girls are out and gathering, a fantastic sight to just sit and watch in the early evenings with a glass of wine in hand, listening to the contented buzz.

Sudanpan · « **Reply #1 on:** June 19, 2012, 05:56:11 pm »

That's great news

Having panicked about my small new nucleus I have been soooo relieved to see the comings and goings of the workers, out and about in the sun in the last couple of days.

Small Farmer · « **Reply #2 on:** June 19, 2012, 06:33:26 pm »

Great. Good news

Just remember that the moment you think you know what's going on in there they'll surprise you and do something else!

Hagrid61 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2012, 07:03:33 pm »

I have been warned bees are easy to keep when its all going okay

....BUT when things start to go wrong

....................I'll be back on here asking for advice and help

Moleskins · « **Reply #4 on:** June 19, 2012, 10:45:49 pm »

Quote from: Hagrid61 on June 19, 2012, 07:03:33 pm

I have been warned bees are easy to keep when its all going okay ....BUT when things start to go wrong ....................I'll be back on here asking for advice and help

It becomes rocket science ......
But that's what makes it so interesting.

Beeducked · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2012, 12:03:49 am »

Quote from: Small Farmer on June 19, 2012, 06:33:26 pm

Great. Good news

Just remember that the moment you think you know what's going on in there they'll surprise you and do something else!

Ain't that the truth!

pottsie · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2012, 03:09:28 pm »

Had a lot of surprises this year it's all true even a keeper with 30 years in whos helping me hasn't known a few bits. Got an old book from 70s and thats helped loads.

Plantoid · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2012, 10:20:22 pm »

Quote from: pottsie on June 23, 2012, 03:09:28 pm

Had a lot of surprises this year it's all true even a keeper with 30 years in whos helping me hasn't known a few bits. Got an old book from 70s and thats helped loads.

OI ! it's not that old .

A good book is by a guy called Ted Hooper or simlar name , " Guide to bees & Honey ".

It's where I learnt most of my craft from when I started back in 1996 after ploughing through Manley , Llangstroth , Smith , Snellgrove & Brother Adam from Buckfast Abbey and many many others .

Luckily I found a guy with 26 yrs experience & 40 over wintering hives who had come along the same route as my mentor . He helpled me get past the near witchcraft methods people were using to try and get honey from stingy little insects called honey bees..

pottsie · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2012, 08:10:56 pm »

Sorry i didn't mean that the 70's was that long ago, just meant the book was old being 40 years old. The book is the same one by Ted Hopper as you mentioned, not like some of the modern rubbish iv'e read.

Rob.

Beeducked · « **Reply #9 on:** June 27, 2012, 11:29:07 pm »

I love the Ted Hooper book.

Hagrid61 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2012, 02:21:40 pm »

Bees very busy today,

I have just had to artificially swarm one hive to prevent them doing it themselves, the hive and super were full almost to overflowing with about five queen cells.
As per normal they got their own back on me only one sting though, nearly in my butt.
Other hive plodding along nicely not as busy as the first.
Just got to keep my eye on the new hive for a while now to make sure they are Ok in their new home.

Hope this warm weather continues its is fabulous over here at the moment.

Hagrid61 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 01, 2012, 08:32:51 pm »

I can't believe it the new hive in which I placed three deep frames (on Monday last) from my existing busy hive has now got a further six deep frames filled with honey and pollen waiting for the a Queen to emerge from one of the Queen cells. I going to have to place a super on it tomorrow.

The original hive Queen still actively laying larvae with new bees emerging. They have calmed down now and are happily getting on producing honey.

Third hive still plodding along, now with a super in place.