The Poultry Keeper

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1325 Location: Leicestershire

Been building up to this for a while now and last night I went and fetched my first nucleus of bees. Cool

Now I've just got to keep them alive through the winter. Confused

Anyone on here keep bees? (Just casually asking like for when I'm desperate!) Laughing

Itsybitsy

nigel · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:35 pm Post subject:

I used to, had to start over once i moved to Sweden

There is also a forum for the British Beekeepers Association, not quite as lively as here, but they can be very helpful.

Ask 3 beekeepers their opinion and you'll get 5 different answers!

CP · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 2:52 pm Post subject:

I think Alexa has some too. Wink

And hasn't Knobby inherited yours Nigel? Confused

nigel · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:06 pm Post subject:

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1325 Location: Leicestershire

Thanks for the link Nigel, I know what you mean about the different answers - the man who gave me the nuc has already told me that my teacher in bee class is talking a load of b*****ks, and that's just on feeding!

I have to quickly learn to ask questions and then do what I think best with the answers. Confused

But of course it's the same with the poultry anyway isn't it, but a wrong decision with bees can cause the death to the colony whereas the chickens will just get on with it.

Itsybitsy Wink

CP · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 4:40 pm Post subject:

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 6958 Location: isle of lewis

know nothing about bees ,just to say good luck

nigel · Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 7:34 pm Post subject:

I can recommend a really good book Guide to Bees and Honey by Ted Hooper, it's been my bible and first port of call.

I would also recommend getting on good terms with your local Bee Inspector, the one near me has been fantastic and only too willing to help with any problems I had. I'm not sure where in the Midlands you're based but if you're anywhere near Leicestershire I can recommend having a word with Andy Wattam (if you need his contact info just let me know)

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1325 Location: Leicestershire

Thanks again for that Nigel. I am Leicestershire and am already on speaking terms with Andy Wattam by a lucky quirk of fate that sometimes befalls us I met him the other week, and then I'm on the beekeeping course at Brooksby, and he was at that 2 weeks ago when it was the bee inspectors visit.

Thanks again

Itsybitsy Wink

nigel · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 12:12 pm Post subject:

Andy is a fantastic guy, i've plagued the life out of him with questions and he's always willing to help and living in Wymeswold he was only 15 mins away and always willing to pop over and reassure me.

Enjoy the course Smile

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1325 Location: Leicestershire

Gosh Nigel, what kind of vehicle did you drive? I would never have said that Wymeswold was only 15 minutes from Castle Donington Shocked

Unless you lived at the airport of course Laughing

Will you be getting into bees again when you've settled in a bit?

Itsybitsy Wink

nigel · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:14 pm Post subject:

Heather · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:27 pm Post subject:

How do they manage the cold winters out there Nigel ? I would imagine the traditional wooden hives aren't insulated enough - or are they ?

nigel · Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2006 7:44 pm Post subject:

They do use wooden hives I've seen some for sale, but more common is the vitrified expanded polystyrene, they think UK Beekeepers still using cedar are rather conservative and a little behind the times

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

Conservative maybe, but I rather think a wooden hive perhaps looks a little nicer. Not totally sure as I've never seen the type your speaking of, but wood is always nice isn't it, if not totally practical