Unsecure chicken perches

[v8landy]

Hi All

 

I have just completed my first inspection of this year of any of my hives, including the beehaus, and wanted to report back the reults.

 

Well, I have to say the beehaus was by far the most advanced of ALL of my national hives! Nearly ~8 frames of brood in all stages with a good 4 fully capped.

 

Another sign of there development was the brace comb built under the frames as I had transferred over last year Standard national brood frames.

 

As for the hive its self, no build issues at all, no condensation, no leaks.

 

In comparison I do insulate my std national hives, and all hives treated the same (i.e feed and Varroa treatments etc)

 

I am also pleased to report ZERO winter hive losses on my other hives, with all developing well and at a rate I would normally expect.

 

I nearly did loose a queen today though my error, they she got caught up in the fondant and only because I look I spotted her as I was about to bin it all!

 

On a personal note, I am planning to convert the beehaus to std national frames by adding a raised false mesh floor into the hive. The only reason is due to all my other hives being of the std national frames I do not wish to have an incompatible frame size.

 

Looking forward to a good 2010 year.

[Daphne]

Good news Our bees have spent the weekend on 2 large cherry trees which are in full beautiful bloom

[Larkie]

Hi

 

I have just carried out my first inspection of my beehaus. Whilst everything looks fine - lots of active bees, larvae, capped brood, honey, andI saw the queen, I am concerned by the large number of dead bees on the mesh fllor - both in the active and non active halves of the haus. The bees don't seem to be clearing them away, and I can't see a way for me to do it.

 

Should I be concerned about this?

 

Catherine

[v8landy]

Hi Catherine

 

Your hive sounds to be doing OK, is this your only hive? Is this also your first year keeping bees?

 

It would be quite normal to have a number of dead bees especially after winter, but they should start clearing them away.

 

Can you quantify the number of dead bees? 10's 100's or 1000's ?

 

The exit from the beehaus is a bit twisted, mainly to cut down on wind blowing in, and with the disadvantage that you can not separate the floor from the body of the hive.

 

Have you removed the wasp/mouse guard?

 

I have also noticed bees in the unused half, but that was before I fitted the MOD parts, have your received them from Omlet and fitted them?

[Larkie]

Thanks for your reply.

 

I have fitted one set of modifications but not the 2nd - that being the one between the 2 sections, so I'll do that asap.

 

This is my first and only hive. I would say that there are up to 100 dead bees. I had removed the wasp guard but replaced it as there are so many wasps around here. I 'll remove it again and see if it makes any difference. I have previously seen quite a few dead bees in the entrance, even with the guard on. Maybe they are just struggling with clearing up given the complexity of the route.

 

I was about to contact Johannes to see if there is a way of removing the mesh but from what you've said I don't think there is, at least not whilst the beehaus is in use.

 

I don't think I'll follows my husband's suggestion of sticking the hoover in there!

 

thanks

[v8landy]

I don't think I'll follows my husband's suggestion of sticking the hoover in there!

 

thanks

 

I was actualy going to suggest that as well! I do not see why it could not be used.

 

First thing is get the mod parts fitted, and also remove the wasp/mouse gaurd.

 

100 dead bees is not realy an issue, BUT when did you get the bees? and how developed are they/how many frames of brood is there?

 

If it is quite small, have you reduced down the hive volume with the follower board?

 

A few wasp traps might help with the wasps.

[Larkie]

Hi

 

I've just fitted the modification to separate the two side of the haus.

 

The bees are really doing well - loads of them, lots of capped brood, larvae, eggs and some capped honey too. My only concern is that I've found a hatched queen cell - I really panicked at first as i couldn't find my queen, but once I'd spotted her in the middle of large patch of eggs, I calmed down.

 

Should I be worried about the queen cell.

 

Also, being new to all this, i didn't realise that the nucleus farmes were shallow, so they're building down into the space between the bottom of the frames and the floor, rather than into the new frames I've put in. Will I just have to leave them do this with the shallow frames for this year - I assume it wouldn't do them any good if I took a large proportion of their brood?

 

TTFN

[v8landy]

Need a bit more clarification of what is going on!

 

When did you get this nuc? And I assume it was a mated laying queen in the nuc on std national frames (not the omelt 14 x 12)?

 

You now say you have seen evidence of a hatched queen cell, but that you then saw "your" queen in a patch of eggs?

 

Are you saying this your original queen (marked ?) or the hatched queen?

 

 

As for the bees building under the shallow frames, yes it could get quite messy under there unless you do something.

 

A couple of options, 1 make a raised floor like I have done, or 2 start adding the omlet 14x12 frames.

 

My main suggestion would be to get someone to have a look at your hive and physically give you some face to face help, it is quite hard without seeing things, but please post back with more questions I am sure others will help out.

 

My other suggestion is to join a more active bee forum ( e.g www.beekeepingforum.co.uk) they have a dedicated omlet section but equally other good bee advice sections.

[Larkie]

Hi

 

Its a nucleus I got last August from Omlet, with a mated new queen.

 

I found my original marked queen still going strong. I have spoken to someone this afternoon from my local association and she said not to worry about the queen cell, as my own queen is well and they haven't swarmed.

 

I have added deep frames around the shallows so think I will leave makig a false bottom for now. I've also mixed them up, as per Ted Hooper's advice to try and get the frames filled more quickly.

 

Thanks for your help. I'll join the other forum as you suggested