Successful queen rearing requires simulating a state of abundance. You should feed a cell-raising colony daily whenever there is no natural nectar flow, using 100-150ml of thin (1:1) sugar syrup. This syrup must be placed in a frame feeder in the upper box, directly adjacent to a pollen frame, and feeding must continue until the queen cells are completely sealed.
The quality of your queens depends entirely on larval nutrition; if nature does not provide a strong nectar flow, you must manually simulate one to ensure the bees draw out the cells fully and feed the larvae generously.
Assessing the Environmental Conditions
The Role of Natural Nectar Flow
Before mixing syrup, you must evaluate the local environment.
If there is a strong natural nectar flow currently in progress, you do not need to feed the cell-raising colony.
Under these conditions, the colony will function like a standard production hive, with bees actively foraging and storing nectar in the supers naturally.
When to Intervene
If natural nectar is scarce or the flow has stopped, immediate intervention is required.
Without a constant influx of resources, the nurse bees may not feed the developing larvae adequately.
This lack of resources can lead to rejected cells or poorly developed queens.
The Mechanics of Feeding
The Correct Syrup Ratio
When feeding is necessary, use a "thin" syrup mixture.
This consists of a 1:1 ratio of water to sugar by volume.
This consistency most closely mimics natural nectar, stimulating the bees to produce wax and royal jelly.
Volume and Frequency
Unlike winter feeding, the goal here is stimulation, not bulk storage.
Feed a small amount, specifically 100-150ml, every single day.
Consistency is key; a daily trickle of food convinces the colony that resources are abundant enough to support new queens.
Strategic Placement
The location of the feeder is just as important as the contents.
Use a frame feeder placed in the upper box of the hive.
Position this feeder immediately next to a pollen frame to ensure nurse bees have simultaneous access to both carbohydrates and protein sources.
Duration of Feeding
You must maintain this feeding schedule strictly while the larvae are developing.
Continue feeding daily until the queen cells are sealed.
Once the cells are capped, the high resource demand for feeding that specific batch of larvae is complete.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Syrup vs. Natural Honey
While sugar syrup is a necessary tool for stimulation, it is biologically inferior to the colony's own honey.
Natural honey contains micronutrients that sugar syrup lacks.
Therefore, you should never extract honey aggressively with the plan to simply substitute it with syrup later; syrup is a supplement for dearths, not a full replacement for natural stores.
The Risk of Disruption
Feeding requires opening the hive daily, which can disturb the colony.
However, using a frame feeder in the top box minimizes this disruption compared to other methods.
The benefit of constant nutrition usually outweighs the minor stress of daily refilling.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure your cell-raising colony produces high-quality queens, follow these specific guidelines based on your environment:
- If your primary focus is raising queens during a dearth: Provide 100-150ml of 1:1 syrup daily in the upper box until cells are capped to simulate a nectar flow.
- If your primary focus is utilizing a strong natural flow: Suspend artificial feeding and allow the bees to forage naturally, as they will treat the hive as a production colony.
- If your primary focus is general colony health (Spring/Fall): Adjust feeding based on stored honey levels, ensuring they have ample natural stores before resorting to supplements.
By matching your feeding strategy to the natural nectar flow, you ensure your developing queens receive the premium nutrition required for longevity and productivity.
Summary Table:
| Feeding Factor | Recommendation | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Syrup Ratio | 1:1 (Thin) Sugar Syrup | Mimics natural nectar flow |
| Daily Volume | 100ml - 150ml | Stimulates royal jelly production |
| Feeder Type | Frame Feeder (Upper Box) | Minimizes disruption; easy access |
| Duration | Until cells are sealed | Ensures larvae are fully fed |
| Pollen Access | Adjacent to pollen frame | Provides essential protein for nurse bees |
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