When to start feeding

sprayburn · Post by **sprayburn** » Sat May 23, 2009 2:13 pm

We have installed our russian nucs in their new hives. Each of those hives have the 5 established frames from the nucs and another 15 frames of wax foundation. The hives are made up of 2 hive bodies right now. Since the bees will need to be drawing out comb, and the spring flow if almost over, I am sure I need to be feeding them. My question is since they were installed today do I wait a day or two to start feeding or should I start right away?

Post by **Jacobs** » Sun May 24, 2009 6:08 am

I would go ahead and start feeding. If they find something they like better they will not take the feed. I have been feeding my Italian nucs since I got them and they take the 1:1 syrup at various rates, but they have been emptying the feeders.

sprayburn · Post by **sprayburn** » Sun May 24, 2009 11:28 am

Thanks Jacobs.
I went out this morning at dawn to retrieve the empty nucs I left in front of the new hives. The bees had cleaned them out nicely. When the sun came up this morning they started flying and soon were returning with really heavy loads of pollen. So they have successfully started foraging in less than 24 hours.
I took your advice and installed a hive-top feeder on each hive and put about a quart of 1:1 syrup in each. The weather folks are now predicting scattered showers all week. It started raining lightly here about an hour ago (11:00am) and the bees cut back on flights, so they may need the feed soon. I will check the feeders in the morning to see what they have taken.