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Barnyard Buddies:  Raising Honey Bees  |
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countrymommy85
True Blue Farmgirl
898 Posts
Krystle
MT
USA
898 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 27 2011 : 07:11:28 AM
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Michele: duly noted on ordering the bees, thanks a million! The spot I was thinking of putting the bees is about 50 yards (at the most) from the house and I didn't know if that was too close or not. It is also near my garden!
~We can make the world a better place for our kids and future generations by what we do today!~ |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4483 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4483 Posts |
Posted - Jan 28 2011 : 1:42:46 PM
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Krystle my hive was right next to my small garden, and a 5 acre new clover seeding(hayfield). The girls never bothered me or anyone else. I also have a sheep yard right next to them too.
Your name looks about like my sisters, Kristel. :)
I would be putting my name in for bee orders now, to get on the list before they sell out. I heard buzzin in my hive. 100% sure ! I did have alot of dead ones on the bottom board of my hive though. I am a little worried. I know it was a very strong hive going in to winter.
Michele |
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Farmtopia
True Blue Farmgirl
1465 Posts
Zan
New York
New York
USA
1465 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 09:11:35 AM
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Some of the bees are bound to die over winter, so you will see bees at the bottom board. Since workers tend to live an average of 6 weeks, and winter tends to run 2-3 months, the dead bees are inevitable. And of course, the cold can affect a few. Hearing the bees is a good sign, though.
Now if only the winter will finish up, already 
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4483 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4483 Posts |
Posted - Jan 30 2011 : 4:02:33 PM
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I hear ya, waiting for spring! I was worried cause I removed the reducer, and looked inside, and it seemed as if there were dead bees piled up to the bottom of the frames. I did scrap out some with my pocket knife. Gosh it was alot, and still left alot in there. But hoping they are going to make it through the rest of winter.
Michele |
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Vintage Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Sue
Woodbine
Maryland
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2011 : 11:47:46 AM
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Hubby is down in the basement putting together hives! We get our first batch of bees in a few months. I am really excited. Next Tuesday is Bee Club, and then we start the beginner's beekeeping class later this month. It's funny, but hubby hasn't yet told my mom (who has 5 or 6 hives down in VA) that he has finally been "stung" by the beekeeping bug. I guess he's keeping it as a surprise. I know it will take a season or two for us to be able to harvest honey, but I have to say that I am looking forward to being a much more active participant in my mom's booth at the Sky Meadows State Park Bee Day demonstration come August!
I'm looking forward to this new adventure and just had to share!
Hugs to all,
Sue
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" - Katharine Hepburn
www.mymotherspearls.me |
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Woodswoman
True Blue Farmgirl
512 Posts
Jennifer
Altamont
NY
USA
512 Posts |
Posted - Feb 05 2011 : 4:16:49 PM
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Hello! This spring will be my 4th year of keeping bees. Warning: It's addictive!  I started with 2, now I run about 5-7, depending on how they are doing. Three of my strongest hives are swarms we captured.
My best advice is to join a beeclub and talk to people, and read ALOT. Taking some classes or workshops if they are available is a good idea also.
Good luck!
Jennifer
Farmgirl Sister #104
"Nature brings to every time and season some beauties of its own".
-Charles Dickens |
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DyaLynn53
True Blue Farmgirl
78 Posts
Dianne
Roseburg
Oregon
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - Feb 11 2011 : 08:48:35 AM
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Hello, so glad to have found this forum as I too want to start keeping bees so I am looking for a beekeeping mentor. There is a "Think Local" agriculture group in town so I think I will contact them today and see if they have any local beekeeping contacts. I know that there is a state group and I've heard of beekeeping classes a couple hours south of where I live but traveling that far wouldn't be overly practical for me.
I love honeybees and bumblebees, which are on the decline here as well I hear. Y'all might think I'm odd but when I was a little girl I loved to follow the bees from flower to flower in the fields; they are lovely little beings. I try to plant whatever I can to attract them and help them. I consider my garden a "bee sanctuary" and it will always be a work in progress.
Farmgirl Sister #682
"Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint on it you can." Danny Kaye |
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Vintage Sue
True Blue Farmgirl
70 Posts
Sue
Woodbine
Maryland
USA
70 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2011 : 5:13:45 PM
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We joined the local bee club and have signed up for the beginning beekeeping class which starts next week. Hive is put together and painted, bees have already been order and we expect delivery something in April I think. Let the adventure begin!!
"If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun" - Katharine Hepburn
www.mymotherspearls.me |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4483 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4483 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2011 : 2:23:27 PM
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Sue it will be an adventure, the bees are so interesting, and amazing. Have fun.
I have an online mentor. He has been very helpful, and can't thank him enough. My bees are still alive. I hope they make it the rest of the winter. I hope to make a split this spring, if all goes well. Like Jennifer said, it is addictive.
Michele |
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HoneyAcresFarm
Farmgirl at Heart
4 Posts
Beth
Lithia Springs
GA
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 8:10:22 PM
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| We are planning on getting a couple of hives this year - my father-in-law had lots of bee hives through the years but the last several years of his life, he did not. One piece of information I will pass on from his is that he always clipped the queen's wings so she would not leave the hive; consequently, the bees never left. He raised bees from the time he was a teenager until he was in his 70's. We had a fire on the farm (burned the pastures, the barn, and trees but not the house) and the hives were destroyed. At that time, he elected not to get any new hives. He was a wealth of bee knowledge; unfortunately, he passed away 3 years ago this May so we do not have him to go to for bee advise. I just thought this might help some of the people who said their bees would leave the hives. |
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Barnyard Buddies: Raising Honey Bees |
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Raising Honey Bees
