Subject: | |
From: | |
Reply To: | |
Date: | Fri, 11 Apr 1997 06:46:35 +1100 |
Content-Type: | text/plain |
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
> IME some queens move down, some don't. Brood chamber reversal is not
> something to do just automatically. It can cause problems for the bees,
> especially if cold weather moves in after the manipulation. With the brood
> nest split the bees can have a difficult time maintaining temperature
> within the nest, and brood can be lost to the cold.
Reversing a colony overwintered as two brood chambers *if done
at the right time* can provide empty cells into the middle of
the brood area that can act to stimulate brood production.
Given the right weather conditions, colony conditions and a bit
of luck, it can be done to entire yards as a reasonable
management tool. Effectively, what you are doing if done at the
right time is a *box* level manipulation that you would
otherwise be doing at a *frame* level, if you see what I mean.
All management is manipulation. If you can do it well, within
the range of behaviour the bees can cope with, you *might* be
able to improve on the existing 'natural' conditions. And to
me, that is what beekeeping is all about!
(\ Nick Wallingford
{|||8- home [log in to unmask]
(/ work [log in to unmask]
NZ Beekeeping http://www.wave.co.nz/pages/nickw/nzbkpg.htm
|
|
|