On Jun 6, 2005, at 12:27 PM, Hayes, Jerry wrote:
>
>  a discussion with a grower whether or not broodless honey bees forage
> for pollen.
>         I have only presence of "larva" acting as the cue for active
> pollen collection.

> grower is thinking buy packages and they will provide the pollination
> he needs and
>        & he will  not have to pay for full colonies.

> G. W. Hayes, Jr.

These questions are not initially pertinent here.    Does he have drawn
comb to put the package on?  Does he plan to feed the nuc heavily from
the day they arrive as they initially draw comb, the queen begins to
lay, and at this time come under the pressure of supplying pollen to
feed the now developing brood?  Yes, bees will collect (and store)
pollen whenever it is available, if first the weather permits, and
second, there is comb to store it in.  A nuc is usually starting from
scratch and must do first things first.   The presence of brood
obviously stimulates the bees to gather pollen.

The nuc should have under ideal conditions, if possible,  some drawn
comb, as much food as the nuc will take, and hopefully early, a frame
(or two) of bees with brood and food, including pollen,  from another
colony ..... this lessens the nuc's weakness as the old bees die off
before the new bees begin to hatch.  Failure to do these things creates
a real struggle for most nucs.

Colonies which experience queen loss almost always build up pollen as
there is no brood coming along to require its use, and may be a real
tip to look for queen loss.  Hope this helps a bit!

Robert Barnett
Birmingham, AL
>
>
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