Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
New media
New listings
New media comments
New resources
New calendar events
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Calendar
New events
Resources
Latest reviews
Search resources
Classifieds
New listings
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search titles only
By:
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Reply to thread
Menu
Install the app
Install
Forums
New Zealand Beekeeping Forums
New Zealand Beekeeping
Two Queen wintering
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Welcome to NZ Beekeepers+
Would you like to join the rest of our members? Feel free to sign up today.
Sign up
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Mummzie" data-source="post: 11513" data-attributes="member: 5"><p>Why- Just to see what happened.</p><p></p><p>In Autumn I had a failing queen, the colony was drone heavy and not so strong. I split it in three and got queen cells. Murphy rules, of course they all mated and returned successfully.</p><p>I had intended to merge them with one queen but I decided to see what size colony could successfully winter on their own resources. </p><p>I run 3/4 boxes. Having heard of wintering colonies one on top of the other to take advantage of shared heat, Two colonies were on the same base, the top one with a rear entrance.</p><p>Instead of a solid division between The 2 stack, I put a queen excluder and crown board with 4 x 1/2 inch holes to allow heat transfer and visiting rights for the workers. There were several frames of uncapped honey, which were shared out between them. They were closed for winter with 2 boxes each, with space to expand.</p><p>The other colony was a single box only.</p><p>They got a brood break while the cells hatched & mated. Oa/Gl strips, followed by Bayvarol.</p><p></p><p>My hives get a 2inch piece of polystyrene as a winter insulation.</p><p>We had a couple of cold snaps, with frosty mornings, but they only lasted a couple of weeks each. Bees flew most days- so our winter is not overly testing as far as warmth is concerned. </p><p></p><p>All 3 have come thru winter bursting with bees, packing drones into every space they can spare. The queens waved, they still have stores, and nectar is coming in.</p><p>Compared to some other hives, they look to have low varroa levels.</p><p></p><p>I'm pretty happy with the result. </p><p>I have just separated the 2 Queen tower into 2 independent colonies. I would try it again.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mummzie, post: 11513, member: 5"] Why- Just to see what happened. In Autumn I had a failing queen, the colony was drone heavy and not so strong. I split it in three and got queen cells. Murphy rules, of course they all mated and returned successfully. I had intended to merge them with one queen but I decided to see what size colony could successfully winter on their own resources. I run 3/4 boxes. Having heard of wintering colonies one on top of the other to take advantage of shared heat, Two colonies were on the same base, the top one with a rear entrance. Instead of a solid division between The 2 stack, I put a queen excluder and crown board with 4 x 1/2 inch holes to allow heat transfer and visiting rights for the workers. There were several frames of uncapped honey, which were shared out between them. They were closed for winter with 2 boxes each, with space to expand. The other colony was a single box only. They got a brood break while the cells hatched & mated. Oa/Gl strips, followed by Bayvarol. My hives get a 2inch piece of polystyrene as a winter insulation. We had a couple of cold snaps, with frosty mornings, but they only lasted a couple of weeks each. Bees flew most days- so our winter is not overly testing as far as warmth is concerned. All 3 have come thru winter bursting with bees, packing drones into every space they can spare. The queens waved, they still have stores, and nectar is coming in. Compared to some other hives, they look to have low varroa levels. I'm pretty happy with the result. I have just separated the 2 Queen tower into 2 independent colonies. I would try it again. [/QUOTE]
Verification
What type of honey is New Zealand famous for?
Post reply
Forums
New Zealand Beekeeping Forums
New Zealand Beekeeping
Two Queen wintering
Top
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
Accept
Learn more…