1)Honeybee nutritional requirements 2)The composition of natural pollen 3)Low cost Product Instructions

Feedbee is an alternative Feed/Diet for honeybees. Feedbee is comparable with high quality pollen. Feedbee contains 35% Protein, 3.8% Fat, 42% Carbohydrates, 14.0% naturally occurring Sugar, 3.2% Minerals.

Bees feed can be fed to honeybees mostly during shortage or absence of natural pollen & during single crop pollination.

Bees feed is fed to colonies mostly:

1- In the early spring when there is no natural pollen available for 6-8 weeks or at least 41 days before the first seasonal blossoming or flow of pollen. This feeding will enhance bee population much earlier than the first flow of pollen and nectar. 2- At the time of shortage/absence of good quality pollen. There is always shortage of good quality pollen, due to single crop pollutions or limited areas for foraging. 3- At least 6 weeks in the fall in order to get strong bees for over-wintering.4- During or after any pollination. 5- At the time of inclement climatic conditions when bees cannot go out of their hives for normal foraging. 6- When plants are sprayed with pesticide. Most orchards or agricultural fields are sprayed with pesticides. To avoid toxication by foraging on contaminated flowers/pollen bees can be fed with Feedbee patty or liquid inside their hives. 7- During any losses of population due to toxins, diseases etc.8- To prevent or cure Nosema infested colonies (before or after the disease outbreak). 9- To prevent chalk brood disease.

10- To increase the general health of the colonies to withstand mites or any diseases.Do not feed bees with any pollen or pollen substitute diets when:

1- The colony is already in cluster and ready for winter.2- There is wax moth infestation in the hive.

Consumption Rate For Feedbee/Colony

An average colony consumes 400-500g per week. Consumption rate for Feedbee in powder form would be a bit higher than in patty & liquid forms.

Feeding MethodsPowder feeding:Is done when the temperature is warm enough & it is not raining or windy, thus comfortable climatic conditions for bees to get out of their hives for normal foraging.  Powder feeding is done as following video and pictures.

Note:

The type and colour of the powder feeder had no effects on the feed intake.The bees consumed the entire Bees feed poweder in the feeder even when there was a sufficient amount of good quality pollen available to the bees.In some of the bee yards, the feeders were rubbed by bees from neighbouring apiaries.The consumption rate was 400g - 500g (app. 1 lb) of powder Feedbee/hive/week.

Bee feed