I met a guy recently whos been keeping bees for a few years now. Because I'm interested in it myself (free honey!) I picked his brains over a beer.
Last winter one of his hives did not make it (starvation). He noticed that though the honey had been eaten at the core where they swarm for warmth the honey in the upper corners was untouched. His conclusion was that even though there was food, their instinct to keep the queen warm in the cluster was stronger and they did not venture out to it.
He is a finish carpenter and makes his own hives etc. As an experiment this year he made new hives that are only 7 frames wide, the idea is that the available honey will be closer to the swarm over the winter.
I know there are many experienced bee keepers on the forum, what do you think?
Last winter one of his hives did not make it (starvation). He noticed that though the honey had been eaten at the core where they swarm for warmth the honey in the upper corners was untouched. His conclusion was that even though there was food, their instinct to keep the queen warm in the cluster was stronger and they did not venture out to it.
He is a finish carpenter and makes his own hives etc. As an experiment this year he made new hives that are only 7 frames wide, the idea is that the available honey will be closer to the swarm over the winter.
I know there are many experienced bee keepers on the forum, what do you think?