The15thMember
"In reading through really old ABJ's lately, I've noticed this too. People were very keen on NOT having the bees build up early, which is kind of the opposite of how we think about it nowadays. I mean, we obviously don't want them to brood up too early, but we often want them to brood up as early as possible. I've haven't seen any references about stealing pollen personally, but several people talking about cellaring, and making sure that if you can't cellar that your hives are in the shade in the winter so the bees won't fly on a warm day when the sun hits the hives."
Location has a lot to do with 'how' we can 'help' our bees with early brood. I do not know if the old time beekeepers used any type pollen substitute at the writing of the book as many who wish for early brood do today? It is my opinion that pollen is 'just' as important as honey (or a good honey substitute) when it comes to the subject of brood.
As for pollen and wanting early brood:
Without having extra available frames of pollen on hand, I found the best way that worked 'for me', in my location when desiring early brood, is by open feeding pollen substitute to help insure they have enough pollen on hand as well. I learned this my very first year from David at Barnyard Bees over in Georgia when multiplying bees was my goal when I was first starting.
Location plays a key part in open feeding pollen sub, as I found that my bees will fly at 43 f on sunny days and above. There are several days throughout the winter months when this temperature is reached (most years) in my area.
One drawback in early brood is the possibility of swarming just before the main flow. For multiplying bees, early brood is good. For the timing of the flow, when making honey is the main goal, this is something to consider.
Phillip
