Bees on order

[bakerjw]

Well I got my bees on order. $85.00 for 3 pounds with a marked and clipped Russian queen. Russians are mite resistant but do require pollen and nectar to build up the colony. Other bees only require nectar or sugar water to get things going. It will be a learning experience for sure.

I suppose I'll have to keep a count of the number of times that I get stung this year.

[smcharchan]

Jealous!

Our next move forward in sustainable living will be bees and two goats. We’re planning on doing so this spring; I'll let you know if I pull it off.

Keep us posted. If I get the bees I’ll share my experience IOT contribute to this thread.

[Mongo]

Can I send them to other people

[chrismartin]

Jealous!

Our next move forward in sustainable living will be bees and two goats. We’re planning on doing so this spring; I'll let you know if I pull it off.

Keep us posted. If I get the bees I’ll share my experience IOT contribute to this thread.

I expect jars of honey at the next local silencer shoot


mmmmm...

[bakerjw]

I have been close to pulling the trigger on a pair of goats but if they are milk producing then it is a lot of work. A LOT OF WORK.

This year will be bees, chickens and fruit trees. Perhaps a pair of immature doe goats later on but for now just those 3 things.

[bakerjw]

I do have a bunch of PDFs on raising bees if anyone needs them too btw.

[Diomed]

I expect jars of honey at the next local silencer shoot

Mead.

[chrismartin]

I expect jars of honey at the next local silencer shoot

Mead.

Yes! That too!

[smcharchan]

I expect jars of honey at the next local silencer shoot

Mead.

Yes! That too!

My wife keeps asking me why I insist on saving the gallon size glass jars from our table wine. You just figured it out.

[Diomed]

You'll have to tell me of your brewing operations, been interested in brewing and distilling since high school but have never done anything about it beyond some research.

[seacoastnh]

I have been close to pulling the trigger on a pair of goats but if they are milk producing then it is a lot of work. A LOT OF WORK.

This year will be bees, chickens and fruit trees. Perhaps a pair of immature doe goats later on but for now just those 3 things.

Illinois should be cold enough so goats will only lactate for part of the year, probably six months.

My dad had bees for his fruit trees and berry bushes when I was growing up. The bees get familiar with the bee keeper, use a smoker and you will be fine.

The biggest problem is recovery of a lost swarm.

[MD3C]

Way to go.
If mine don't make the winter, it'll be to late to order more for 2010.

M

[bakerjw]

I live in NE Tennessee where our typical winters are fairly mild. I left Illinois 4 years ago and never looked back.

[MD3C]

it has been unusually warm for this time of year here.
It was in the 40s yesterday. The bees were out, on their porch, and buzzing around there. A few were out flying.
Today it got up to 50, I'm sure they were out, but I was gone.
I went out and listened to the hives and they were buzzing away.
I'm going to try to give them some syrup, and or pollen patties tomorrow.
It's going to be a busy day.
M


I'm a happy camper. They seem to be doing well despite the colder weather.
I hope this warm spell holds.

[BWT]

I'm fascinated about Bee hives.

Which is funny, because I was nearly stung to death... but that was yellow jackets, so, different story.

Fascinating creatures.

Bees are fine, hornets and yellow jackets are the devil.

[MD3C]

I'm fascinated about Bee hives.

Which is funny, because I was nearly stung to death... but that was yellow jackets, so, different story.

Fascinating creatures.

Bees are fine, hornets and yellow jackets are the devil.

They're amazing creatures. The entire process is likewise amazing.
Read up on it. Lots of good bee books out there.
M

[eric10mm]

The biggest problem is recovery of a lost swarm.

Bee GPS?

[withoutremorse42]

You'll have to tell me of your brewing operations, been interested in brewing and distilling since high school but have never done anything about it beyond some research.

I've been brewing up mead, wine and beer for a few years now. Beer can be done in a couple hours work, total time from brew to drink in only a couple weeks. Wine takes a bit longer, often going into the couple month timeframe. Mead takes the longest but is oh so worth it. The longer you let it age, the better it gets.


Each type of drink only takes a few hours of labor spread out over the couple week/month process. If anyone wants to start a thread on brewing for SHTF currency, I'll happily grab my recipe book and share.

Jens

[silencertalk]

Don't deed it to infants. Botulism.

[Twinsen]

Do you not cook honey before you can it?

[CanNotHear]

Can I send them to other people

Like a bee master? Muahahaha!

[bakerjw]

TO further Roberts comments.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/infant ... sm/HQ00854

I was unaware of this.

[MD3C]

Checked both hives out today. It was a surprising 47 degrees here today.
Too windy to open hives, but I did anyway.
One hive is teeming with bees, in the brood box, and the upper box.
The other has few bees in the upper box, although it's still heavy with full foundation. Really a sharp contrast to the other hive.
Cleaned up the propolis, and left them both a Bee-Pro patty.
It would sure help if this warmer weather would hold up.
I'm unsure what the bees would do if it went back to normal winter temps here?
I'm looking forward to seeing them make the winter.
M

[zeezee]

FYI http://www.buildanark.net/index.php?Beekeeping.html

[MD3C]

Opened the two hives today. One is still weaker than the other.
Both hives Bee-Pro patties are gone from last week.
I gave them each two today, as I'll be gone next weekend.
It was 51 degrees at the house today.
I'm still expecting to get blasted with winter again.
I was in California couple weeks ago, and there are hives all along hwy 5.
Good luck.
M