Hi,
For winter feeding I used an ashforth feeder on my two hives and, although one hive was slower to feed than the other, it seems to have worked well. As this is my first winter feeding as a new beekeeper, I was a little surprised when I removed the feeders to discover a layer of dead bees in the space where the sugar syrup seeps through to allow the bees to feed. Is this normal, or does it suggest poor technique on my part, eg filling the chamber too quickly and drowning bees? If not poor technique, is it poor design? And are there any tips to avoid this happening again?
Thanks
For winter feeding I used an ashforth feeder on my two hives and, although one hive was slower to feed than the other, it seems to have worked well. As this is my first winter feeding as a new beekeeper, I was a little surprised when I removed the feeders to discover a layer of dead bees in the space where the sugar syrup seeps through to allow the bees to feed. Is this normal, or does it suggest poor technique on my part, eg filling the chamber too quickly and drowning bees? If not poor technique, is it poor design? And are there any tips to avoid this happening again?
Thanks