cowgirl8":1nxqdia0 said:
How old are your hives? I haven't had to feed my bees in months, even the new swarm I got last summer. They are all bringing in pollen like crazy right now. i'm about to head out to see if my big hive has all their honey capped....
California queen in one was added mid may to establish a new hive. It is two boxes, 10 frames each box.
East Texas Italian queen in the other is about a week younger. Two boxes, 10 frames each box for that one was well.
The East Texas bunch were the biggest numbers. California has now surpassed their numbers.
I am feeding because the hives are relatively young and I am getting them established. When we added the 2nd box and rotated frames, bees with pollen on their legs were everywhere.
I've got all those berries on trellises plus I have all the peach trees. 3 years ago I had no bees pollinating. That is when I committed to getting my own hives. The last two years feral bees have pollinated but I should be in really good shape next year.
Bee Keeping is the wife's thing. Big family tradition for her. So I got bees. I am expecting around 350 gallons of berries again next year. Bees make it a win/win. Nothing more. Two hives is plenty.