Another question from a new beekeeper. I have read that I shouldn't feed heavy syrup in winter so should I feed them patty or fondant, or something similar? I have only a small hive, new late this year, and they haven't filled all the brood frames. Should I restrict them with dummy boards?
Some misnterpretation somewhere methinks
You will struggle to feed syrup in winter because they wont take it down.
But you can feed syrup in autumn like the vast majority of us and theres still time to do it.
Get a rapid feeder on and keep filling it until they stop taking it.
This is far less hassle for everyone than having to dummy down ( use kingspan behind dummy boards if you go down that route).I
You shoukd also think about some insulation on top too
This will encouage them to go and get the food from the furthest frames instead of starving.
Thats assuming the varroa havent decimated the colony by then.
Happy days...
You could use fondant instead -it works for some folk -notably those that sell it.
I tried it last year on two hives ( too tightwad to buy extra feeders) and it didnt go well.
This year its back to normal with autumn syrup then supplement candipoline in spring.
Perspex crownboards are well worth obtaining .