As you might know, I started a Bond Yard 3 season ago. Each year I
bring the best performing hives to this yard, and let them be
"natural" there. No feeding, no treatment whatsoever.

With varroa, nosema and probably viruses building up, no much surplus
to harvest, but enough bees and frames with honey to be able to split
and grow the yard. Also lots of swarms.

Well, following on what PeterB is talking, I knew past autumn that
most of them need feeding. Past summer we harvest. This was the first
season we were able to harvest some. In average 30 kg per hive.

Been very hard on the Bond proposal I didn-t feed. The result is that
over 90% of the colonies died during winter, most of them from
starvation.

I only hope that the surviving ones are worth the effort. If any
survives at the end of spring. I know by lifting them by the back that
they need feeding. Actually three more have died in the past week.


-- 
Juanse Barros J.
APIZUR S.A.
Carrera 695
Gorbea - CHILE
+56-45-271693
08-3613310
http://apiaraucania.blogspot.com/
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