Layens Horitzontal Bee Hive Winter Prep - JerBee Apiary 12-16-2020

EDIT-things I learned after moisture issues in hives 2!!! Important!!!
1. don’t use a wool blanket like that-it might be a possible synthetic blend and too stifling for ventilation
2. Leave 3/4” gap under follower board for ventilation also
3. If you do use a blanket don’t let it go all the way to the floor
4. Don’t leave too much extra honey, but don’t take too much. Balancing act!!
5. Dr. Leo actually recommends a pillow stuffed with natural wool just sitting on top of the frames instead!!!
The straw in hive one seems to have worked out but Hive two had major moisture issues that led to its collapse.
It’s winter (finally?)! We are in the process of a rather significant snowstorm and cold weather (17F right now) with 18+ inches expected. However, it was 50 degrees and I felt the right time to do a little Layens Horizontal hive prep. Time will tell if it was the right way, but it seems logical! Next I'll need to determine if snow touching the bottom of the fence will ground it out...
I also need to get working on some beeswax rendering from the harvest!
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[@yukon6NY]

Long live your winter bees!!! I saw a similar video how beekeepers are winterizing their beehives in Ukraine. They showed a very similar process covering the top with a wool blanket or even with a goose down and feathers pillow.

[@Jerfish1]

Thanks! The concept came from a Russian source on horizontal hives, so makes sense. I found some bees from hive one this morning on top of the snow, like they tried to fly but made it a foot. Not sure why they’d do that after 24” of snow and at only 18 degrees F outside! Maybe a couple workers were carrying out dead ones and dropped them?? Or couldn’t return?

[@seanmon9853]

Wow this guy knows his stuff! I've found his videos to be an excellent resource!

[@andreysednev8542]

I also noticed that winter bees don't fit through the slits because they are bigger in size than normal summer worker bees. I tried to close for the night and realized that next morning their heads were sticking out. I guess just making the round opening smaller like you've done works great. Thanks for your video.

[@Jerfish1]

Ah! I see!!! Thank you, I wasn’t aware of the fact they get bigger in winter!

[@laurallinas-lux2052]

Fantastic video! Really enjoyed it! 💕

[@Jerfish1]

EDIT-things I learned after moisture issues in hives 2!!! Important!!! 1. don’t use a wool blanket like that-it might be a possible synthetic blend and too stifling for ventilation 2. Leave 3/4” gap under follower board for ventilation also 3. If you do use a blanket don’t let it go all the way to the floor 4. Don’t leave too much extra honey, but don’t take too much. Balancing act!! 5. Dr. Leo actually recommends a pillow stuffed with natural wool just sitting on top of the frames instead!!! The straw in hive one seems to have worked out but Hive two had major moisture issues that led to its collapse.

[@collegeguy14]

I could come harvest that bear for you help make him a non issue. Like the videos!

[@rickyharrison6697]

I know I am kind of randomly asking but do anybody know a good site to watch new tv shows online?

[@trentoakley1473]

@Ricky Harrison i watch on FlixZone. You can find it on google :)

[@canaanjeffrey4076]

@Trent Oakley definitely, I have been watching on flixzone for years myself :)

[@rickyharrison6697]

@Trent Oakley Thank you, I signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D Appreciate it !!

[@trentoakley1473]

@Ricky Harrison You are welcome :D