Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Native Plants on August 26, 2013, 10:10:03 pm

Title: Frames filled with one cell type - brood or pollen or honey
Post by: Native Plants on August 26, 2013, 10:10:03 pm
Many frames in all four hives seem to be singular purpose.  They have brood out to the edge, or have pollen in almost all the cells.  I understand why the honey frames might be specific, but all frames?  This would not seem to be a good pattern for winter.  Does it fall under the 'normal' category?

The ragweed is blooming here, and the  frames of pollen are a gorgeous color of yellow-orange.
Title: Re: Frames filled with one cell type - brood or pollen or honey
Post by: GSF on August 26, 2013, 10:16:00 pm
Welcome to the board.

I am a new beek but I believe that is not a bad thing. Does the hive have any honey in it at all? If it doesn't then you are where I was a couple of weeks ago. If it doesn't have any or very little honey then you probably need to feed. Is there a flow on in your area?

Others will correct me if I'm wrong.
Title: Re: Frames filled with one cell type - brood or pollen or honey
Post by: Native Plants on August 26, 2013, 10:30:30 pm
The two original hives have some honey stored, with very little capped.  I made one split from each hive when I re-queened the packages.  The two split hives have almost zero stored honey.  I am feeding all four.  The ragweed is in full bloom, and the asters and goldenrod are a few weeks out.  I don't have acres of these near me, but tons of ragweed by the stream that they are working.
Title: Re: Frames filled with one cell type - brood or pollen or honey
Post by: sc-bee on August 27, 2013, 10:15:11 am
Frames with just pollen and stores and some with just brood-- not uncommon. They will arrange things as needed. As the brood hatches and winter gets closer they will backfill as needed.