BEE-L Archives

Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

BEE-L@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Michael Palmer <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:39:52 -0400
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (25 lines)
>   I've been wondering how 3 deeps might impact over-wintering.


I over-winter many in 3 deeps, more in 2 deeps and a medium. In our 
northern climate, I feel that two deeps is too small. Bees preparing 
their broodnests for winter, need to store honey, pollen, AND raise a 
large population of young bees. Hard to do all that in the same 
combs. With 3 deeps, the bottom 2 can be used for brood rearing, 
while the top deep is used for honey storage...and more 
inportantly...pollen storage. A large cluster of young bees going 
into winter, will need ample pollen the following spring. 3 deeps 
insures they have it where they need it for late winter/early spring 
brood rearing.

One drawback might be slightly reduced honey crop. The bees will put 
more in the broodnest, and less in the supers...one reason I went to 
2 deeps and a medium. But, honey left on the hives for winter means 
lots of young bees in the spring.
Mike

******************************************************
* Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at:          *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm  *
******************************************************

ATOM RSS1 RSS2