Bill:

Not to open another can of worms on open-feeding, let me just say that
what you say is right in many bee yards, in general, and the suburban
ones, in particular.  Recall I said “Done right under right conditions.”

I live in the country where there is no known beekeeper in my
neighborhood.  And I do this in dead winter due to fluctuating warm winter
weather despite I keep my bees in two deeps; of course, I do not have to
do this all the time.  Furthermore, if you use bone-dry wheat straw, at
least four-inches thick [check the archives for those wanting to know
more], and not packed as found in a bale, seldom will you drown your bees
as many as you allege.  I have been doing for many years and I know.

On the other hand, imagine having to feed fifty colonies in dead winter,
due to an unusual swell in temperature, which is not uncommon in
Oklahoma.  Imagine further having to open all the cott’n pick’n boxes—-
knowing too well the temp can dive deep overnight.  My winter loss often
results from my bees having failed to recluster while they got mother-load
of honey on their nose.  Most of all I really like the efficacy of open
feeding: minimum labor and quick-intake.


Yoon

Why do we say Oklahoma is OK?  Because we jest don't know how to spell
mediocre.

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