>Perhaps it's not clear to all that bees normally have free choice in
>deciding the protein to carbohydrate ratio in their diet--the protein
>source being pollen and the carbohydrate source being nectar or honey.
>They've had millions of years practice in learning how to balance their
>diet to optimum.


Having a free choice between pollen and carbohydrate is an interesting way to put it. I've been thinking that it's not a choice but rather the balance is driven biologically by their life stage. With nurse bees consuming the majority of the pollen and foragers basically on a carbohydrate diet with some pollen consumption for cell maintenance.  Is that the balance you are talking about? 

When you feed in the fall do you feed both protein and syrup? 

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