Monday, 6 April 2009
Sunday, 5 April 2009
sellers description
The auction descriped the colony as having 5 frames with brood and treated with oxalic in December
The hive I bought had a solid floor and crown board and for travelling I had lifted the crown slightly with a thin twigs before securing.
At home around 5pm, I opened the entrance and took the twigs out (because there was a lot of buzzing coming from the hive and I hoped they would not overheat).
The night temp was close to a frost so at 9am there were no signs of the bees, but 11am saw a lot flying.
I didn't want to disturb them too much after their ordeal but I did want to put them on to a screen floor and feed them.
I had made some syrup the night before (1kg sugar, 1kg water, 1teaspoon lemon juice, 20 min boil).
12am I suited up and moved them onto the new base, weighed the colony, tipped the feeder upside down, placed on crown, covered with my new brood box (new supers are not deep enough) then placed the roof back on.
There was a lot of action from the bees but within an hour there were lots of bees arriving back with pollen on their legsThe colony weighed 21.8KG, this seems like I have had a good deal and it seems like a stong colony but my next concern will be , when will I have to add a super?
At home around 5pm, I opened the entrance and took the twigs out (because there was a lot of buzzing coming from the hive and I hoped they would not overheat).
The night temp was close to a frost so at 9am there were no signs of the bees, but 11am saw a lot flying.
I didn't want to disturb them too much after their ordeal but I did want to put them on to a screen floor and feed them.
I had made some syrup the night before (1kg sugar, 1kg water, 1teaspoon lemon juice, 20 min boil).
12am I suited up and moved them onto the new base, weighed the colony, tipped the feeder upside down, placed on crown, covered with my new brood box (new supers are not deep enough) then placed the roof back on.
There was a lot of action from the bees but within an hour there were lots of bees arriving back with pollen on their legsThe colony weighed 21.8KG, this seems like I have had a good deal and it seems like a stong colony but my next concern will be , when will I have to add a super?
Lincoln Auction
At the auction there 72 colonies lined up in the field, all in Nationals except two.
Tere was also a lot of old kit for sale.
At 1pm the actioneer moved outside and onto the hives.
The people selling the hives gave a short description of their bees and treatments and then the bidding started.
They started selling for £180, £200, etc.
Half way through selling the hives the price started to drop.
I actuallty put my hand up a couple of times but let others win with bids around £130.
Then hive 59 ended up being mine for £110 (+5% auction fees)
I had a brief conversation with seller ( who was disapointed with the price) paid up, then got a steward to help me tie them up, lift into the boot, and then we were on our way home.
Tere was also a lot of old kit for sale.
At 1pm the actioneer moved outside and onto the hives.
The people selling the hives gave a short description of their bees and treatments and then the bidding started.
They started selling for £180, £200, etc.
Half way through selling the hives the price started to drop.
I actuallty put my hand up a couple of times but let others win with bids around £130.
Then hive 59 ended up being mine for £110 (+5% auction fees)
I had a brief conversation with seller ( who was disapointed with the price) paid up, then got a steward to help me tie them up, lift into the boot, and then we were on our way home.
North Saffs Beekeepers
Late in 2008 I had contacted a chap who was able to supply a nuc of Black bees in april 09 but in March he had discoverd he had lost more than expected, he was now unsure when he could supply.
The district club are very friendly and have held several meetings over winter with quest speakers.
At one of the club meetings I had found there was an auction to be held at the beginning of April at Lincoln. I confirmed with th organiser there were Nucs to be sold and planned a night in Lincoln.
The district club are very friendly and have held several meetings over winter with quest speakers.
At one of the club meetings I had found there was an auction to be held at the beginning of April at Lincoln. I confirmed with th organiser there were Nucs to be sold and planned a night in Lincoln.
Background
I became interested summer 08, and started attending the district clubs apiary. Luckily it is very local to me.
I found it all very interesting, and as winter set in decided I would give it a try the coming year.
I Read books and the internet and even though its not a good time for bees with the spread of Varroa I was keen to have a go.
I found it all very interesting, and as winter set in decided I would give it a try the coming year.
I Read books and the internet and even though its not a good time for bees with the spread of Varroa I was keen to have a go.
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