The Honey Factory

[Apis mellifera]

Like this? I've got too much bee stuff.

 

[BallsEleven]

I had to dig deep to find this thread. I didn't expect it to be on the DIY board. I got my first hive back in May and going into my first winter. Excited and nervous to see how they come out in the spring. It has been warm so they have still been bringing in pollen as of last weekend.

Question, does anyone keep bees in a chicken run? I've thought about it quite a bit but don't know how high I would need to raise the hive. Right now I've got landscape timbers running through stacked cinderblocks. So maybe 1 - 1 1/2 feet off the ground. I'd assume I need to raise them so the chickens can't just pick bees off the landing board?

 

[Apis mellifera]

I had to dig deep to find this thread. I didn't expect it to be on the DIY board. I got my first hive back in May and going into my first winter. Excited and nervous to see how they come out in the spring. It has been warm so they have still been bringing in pollen as of last weekend.

Question, does anyone keep bees in a chicken run? I've thought about it quite a bit but don't know how high I would need to raise the hive. Right now I've got landscape timbers running through stacked cinderblocks. So maybe 1 - 1 1/2 feet off the ground. I'd assume I need to raise them so the chickens can't just pick bees off the landing board?

The problem with putting a hive in a chicken run is they can't get away from the hive if they need to. There are times when even the most docile colony can get a bit testy.

 

[BallsEleven]

The problem with putting a hive in a chicken run is they can't get away from the hive if they need to. There are times when even the most docile colony can get a bit testy.

Yeah I guess so. I frequently leave the door open for them to roam the entire backyard but there’s definitely times where they stay in there.

 

[jerryse]

Got to 59 today. One of my maple trees is blooming and bees were bringing in pollen. Snow on Friday.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I've got daffodils blooming, the wild pears are starting to bloom and I saw something else starting to bloom today too. The sour (pie?) cherry bush maybe? It's too early! Go back to sleep!

 

[BallsEleven]

Very warm temps here in Louisiana. Lots of pollen in the air and white clover blooming. The girls have been enjoying it.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Geesh, I've got another month before seeing pollen. Was six inches of snow this week and forecast for next two weeks is high's in 30's.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

First blooms are working north. Family member went to the annual flower show in Burlington, VT today and came home with pussy willow stems. I asked if from Virginia? Nope, Pennsylvania.

 

[BallsEleven]

Geesh, I've got another month before seeing pollen. Was six inches of snow this week and forecast for next two weeks is high's in 30's.

That sounds miserable. I can’t stand the cold haha

Also found some queen cells with larvae in them. Will have to keep a close eye on them going forward. Someone on another site suggested they may have built these because of my Apiguard treatment. Trying to decide if I should abandon treatment and add another box or keep going. Mite count was zero yesterday.