> QUERY:   Doesn't one have to be careful of the protein source?   Don't
> think the bees would like steak, whether it is served rare or well done.
>

Yes. Protein should not exceed about 30% as the higher you go the closer you
get to protein toxicity which is observed at 50%. Seems hard to do, but I am
sure an earnest beekeeper has tried.

A bit about pollen. Pollen is just a general term and not all pollen is
equal. Plus,  pollen is very sensitive to time and heat, so you can have
pollen and it will be worthless if not stored properly. So even if pollen is
an ingredient in supplemental feed, it may have little value. All depends on
the source and storage.

Add that all protein is not the same and that bees need fats, vitamins,
minerals, and the like (and they are also not the same) and bee food gets a
bit complex.

Fortunately they gather from a variety of sources over the year (and almond
pollen is very good while dandelion pollen, by itself, is not for brood
rearing, something that surprised me in my reading).

(Another interesting thing garnered from my reading is that sucrose is the
bees preferred sugar, so it even beats out honey.)

Next we will learn that they prefer white bread, the other white death.

Bill Truesdell (mellowing in my old age)
Bath, Maine

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