RESULTS - Equalizing & Checkerboarding

[@GEEZBEEZ]

What a difference population makes especially early. Nice looking colonies. Right on track. Thanks for the video. Take care.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@karlshaw4372]

As I begin to plan packing my apiary down ready for southern hemisphere winter here in Australia, I sit here a little jealous because spring is so fun and exciting but it seems so far away. At least I don't have snow to contend with. Hope you have a great season.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Karl the end of the season is bittersweet. I feel for you.

[@BeeGeeTheImp]

Good to see the bees thriving again.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@lagrangebees]

Glad to see that weak hive recovered enough for it to last until you will split them. Whichever split the old queen ends up in I assume the cell will end up rearing a replacement. Unless you find her and give her the hive tool test.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

They’ll figure it out one way or the other…😅

[@CMPearrow]

I love my Italian bees ! That queen knows nothing but lay eggs ! You can fill both boxes enough to Pressure with swarming or massive honey producing machine

[@MikeBarryBees]

It really is exciting when we see the weak grow strong. Great manipulations Nathan. I did the zig zag last season that you showed from the fella in Columbia. I did it with honey frames. Worked really well.

[@randalljarnigan5897]

I did the checker board last year on two colonies and they did good. Pulled 50# each. I also recommended a new beekeeper down in Vero Beach check the video out.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Those worked out pretty well Mike, thanks

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Randall

[@lunarrn]

Thanks for sharing. I hope you’ll show doing your splits.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Video will post Sunday about how I set them up.

[@honeyandthecoop803]

Good looking colonies Nathan, when do you expect the nectar flow in your area?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

20th to 25th of April is my guess this year.

[@sdbrazil1]

Another great video. Thanks. I'm looking for the number of 4x7 inch pads Dick uses for the 1:1 mix.

[@susanrowland8915]

Learned a lot from that work you did. Thanks so much.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Susan!

[@30farms70]

This is completely off subject but what is the name of the song you use in this video? By the way I love your videos.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

The Role Of Pain, thanks!

[@sonofthunder.]

seen alot of drones today,pulled a green drone frame that was capped and about to emerge, into the freezer as part of ipm mite control,ill clean out in few days and reinsert,finally getting better weather,had the usual bur comb,drones,didnt see any mites, so thats a plus, a few beetles, i didnt get all the way into the bottom, but ill be splitting soon,exciting times

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Fun stuff Mark!

[@johngarner1386]

Do you keep brood frames separate from honey frames?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I do when I harvest honey.

[@PeabodysApiary]

Awesome technique my question is those older foragers will accept the queen from another hive when you swap positions ? What’s your experience with that.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Usually, but not many absolutes with bees. It obviously worked this time, and I think I’ve swapped 1 or maybe 2 others this spring and all worked.

[@jeffreyhoskins8955]

Your doing a great job I have a question what do you think about brood factory’s for drawn come an resource’s not that there’s any thing wrong with how your doing just researching things for my future plan’s Thanks for another great video

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I think there are too many labels given hives…I split one up today that was too small to make honey this year. I’ll rob brood out of other weak colonies to make splits. Are they brood factories or resource hives?

[@jeffreyhoskins8955]

@@DuckRiverHoney just researching for a faster way to draw comb lol but thanks for the info

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Swarms or strong nectar flows are the fastest ways.

[@aidanquick3151]

Hey Nathan, do you prefer to work hives from the back, or would you rather work from the sides? Cheers mate.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Back usually, unless I’m looking for a queen, then the side is best.

[@aidanquick3151]

@@DuckRiverHoney Nice one. Here's to a good year.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I hope it gets easier!

[@louiseibbotson588]

Looking good Nathan 👍

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks Louise

[@izinyosib821]

What time of the year is your main honey flow that you are targeting?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Late April to start of May

[@nszucs1]

I am seeing similar things with different genetic lines. I bought some Carni/Caucasian queens last year that are 1/2 the strength of my Italian colonies. We are a month away from the honey flow so that frugal build up is ideal. I think having consistency makes it easier to manage them though. I'll probably move more towards the carni/Caucasian bees in the future.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’m thinking the same.

[@zakheintzelman9570]

Why weed out the Italians? Big bees make big honey crops. manage the swarming urge and good to go.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Some are peaking too early and then want to swarm.