Colony Management Colony Management For Maximum Honey For Maximum Honey

ProductionProduction

Clarence H. Collison

Emeritus Professor/Dept. Head

Mississippi State University

Management Varies:Management Varies:

Type of Honey Geographical Region Local Weather Patterns Floral Sources

COLONY

POPULATION

NECTAR

FLOW

TIME

PERIOD

Apiary Location Apiary Location With Abundant With Abundant Floral SourcesFloral Sources

Young Productive Young Productive Queens From Good Queens From Good

Genetic StockGenetic Stock

Proper Hive Proper Hive ManipulationsManipulations

Stimulatory FeedingStimulatory Feeding

Pollen SupplementPollen SupplementPollen SubstitutePollen Substitute

6 Weeks

There Is A Basic There Is A Basic Relationship Between Relationship Between

Brood And Adult Population Brood And Adult Population That Determines The Rate That Determines The Rate Of Growth Or Development Of Growth Or Development

Of The Colony.Of The Colony.

As The Colony As The Colony Population Increases, Population Increases, The Efficiency Of The The Efficiency Of The

Colony Improves.Colony Improves.

As The Colony As The Colony Population Increases, Population Increases, A Smaller Proportion A Smaller Proportion Of Bees Are Needed Of Bees Are Needed For Brood Rearing.For Brood Rearing.

A Large Colony Produces A Large Colony Produces More Brood Than A Small More Brood Than A Small Colony Yet Has A Higher Colony Yet Has A Higher

Proportion Of Its Bees Proportion Of Its Bees Available For Gathering Available For Gathering

Nectar And Pollen.Nectar And Pollen.

10,000 Bees 2,000 Foragers10,000 Bees 2,000 Foragers20,000 Bees 5,000 Foragers20,000 Bees 5,000 Foragers30,000 Bees 10,000 Foragers30,000 Bees 10,000 Foragers40,000 Bees 20,000 Foragers40,000 Bees 20,000 Foragers50,000 Bees 30,000 Foragers50,000 Bees 30,000 Foragers60,000 Bees 39,000 Foragers60,000 Bees 39,000 Foragers

During A Two Week During A Two Week Honey Flow, A Full Honey Flow, A Full

Strength Colony With Strength Colony With 60,000 Bees Will Normally 60,000 Bees Will Normally Produce 50% More Honey Produce 50% More Honey Than Four Colonies Each Than Four Colonies Each

With 15,000 Bees.With 15,000 Bees.

Colony NutritionColony Nutrition

Worker Worker CannibalismCannibalism

Reverse Brood Reverse Brood ChambersChambers

Double Screen- A Wooden Frame Holding Two Layers Of Wire Screen, Usually 8- Mesh, About ½ Inch Apart.

Double Screen

Old Queen

3-5 Frames Of Unsealed Brood

Empty Comb, Honey, Pollen

5-6 Frames Of Brood, Mostly Sealed

Empty Comb

2 Frames Pollen, 2 Frames Honey

Cut Out All Queen Cut Out All Queen CellsCells

Queen Excluder

Queen Excluder

Honey Supers

Old Queen + Capped Brood

Unsealed Brood

In 7-10 Days, Return To In 7-10 Days, Return To Inspect The Colony And Inspect The Colony And Destroy Any New Queen Destroy Any New Queen

Cells That May Have Cells That May Have Developed In The Upper Developed In The Upper

Hive Bodies Hive Bodies

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