Is there anything, I mean anything that beekeepers agree on?
Yes, we all keep bees... other than that... no. Some of us have very strong opinions as to the right way to do things, and those that don't agree are wrong. As you see even in this thread...
I'm sure I will ruffle some feathers, but I need to bring up some points to ponder. And I will do so without attacking others just because they don't agree with me...
Most beekeepers agree to disagree on most beekeeping topics!
I disagree! :lol:
Do I feed throughout the combbuilding process until they have the second deep drawn? Or will they tell me when its time to stop by not feeding on the syrup?
Most keepers will agree that any time you are trying to get your colony to draw comb it is best to feed. Mainly because they will draw it faster and much more efficiently. I personally stop feeding when I put on my honey supers. Sugar is cheaper than Honey, therefore the less honey they have to consume in order to draw comb, the more honey you will harvest at the end of the season.
You can give them terrarium heater 15 W and nuc will develope 3 times faster than naturally. (cold nights)
Hmmm... He doesn't believe in Small Cell Beekeeping, but he is the only one that I know of that uses a terrarium heater. Not that I disagree with his method, just his one track mind, and unwillingness to see benefit in other opinions and theories.
People have had success going the small cell way, but until its tested and accepted by the majority I dont see things being changed. But the more that try it to see if it can work worldwide help the process along.
I do not see any negative points to Small Cell Beekeeping, but one area that needs to be addressed and I have yet to see touched on in this thread is the fact that smaller cells get capped in a shorter amount of time, and also hatch sooner. Think about the benefits that be achieved in the interruption of the mite cycle with the shorter cycle of smaller bees.
I don't understand why some keepers fight this Small Cell theory. If there were some negative points to consider I might see their point in resisting the change. If bees were suppose to be this big, why are feral combs found to be much smaller than the size of our "standard" foundation?
As far I have had bees, big ones are the best honey collectors.
If larger bees are more efficient, why are they not the size of cows? :lol: I believe the colony works as one common body. Smaller cells means more bees per frame, and I believe that bees are like vehicles. Smaller vehicles are much more fuel efficient.
I'm fooling around with some small cell, and I keep reading some different bulliten boards to see how they are managing the mites, but when it comes down to it, I have oxalic at the ready to knock them down.
I agree with having a backup plan, I would not recommend that anyone jump in blindly and assume that Small Cell is going to be the end of mites. Again, I feel that Small Cell keeping is just an added benefit to the natural pest management program, with no negative points that I can see. If someone does not believe Small Cell to be a benefit, why not add it to an existing program and see what benefits you see. I believe you will only see benefits.
So on a new hive the temp is important. Using a SBB, the temp plays a more important role. So Im thinking Ill just slide in the sheet if the nights are cool, so the hive can maintain the proper temperature easier. Yes?
Temperature is not only important on a new hive, it important to every hive. In colder weather the colony will not be able to maintain the brood rearing temperature near the bottom of an open bottom or SBB. And don't be fooled into believing that a SBB is the answer to better ventilation in a hive. Remember that a hive is just like a chimney and only operates efficiently with proper convection, you must have an exhaust in the top in order to see the most benefit from an open bottom hive. As you will see in previous threads Finman does not agree. Test this for yourself by smoking the bottom of a hive with a SBB installed and no exhaust in the top. Observe how much smoke remains in the hive and for how long(This is best observed with a sheet of plexiglass on top of the hive instead of your top cover). Now install an exhaust in the top of the hive and smoke in the same manner. Compare your observations and decide for yourself as to which method would work more efficiently in the middle of the summer. Would you rather have your bees fanning the entrance and bearding or would you rather have them out bringing in more nectar?
The Bees agree that if you don’t smoke them before you open the Hive they will sting you. You will find that what works for someone else won’t seem like a good idea to you.
One more point for us to disagree... I work most of my hives with no veil, no suit and without smoke. I will use it if I have to, but it only sets them back further because they are gorging on the honey, then once the smoke has cleared they will put the honey back, they are two steps further ahead if they don't need to be smoked. Some hives can be just as aggressive even after being smoked. Every colony has a diffirent temperment, get to know your hives.
I hope I brought up some good points to ponder and more fuel for discussion...