Winter feeding

By now, the queen should be being brought in to lay again by the workers. This means big changes in the hive: winter bees can survive with a cluster temperature of as low as 65 F but once eggs and larvae are present a much higher temperature of around 90 F is required. So, the workers need to consume more stores in order to maintain that level of heat. Consequently, if they are low on their own stores of honey they can starve. 3 weeks ago I gave Genesis some sugar fondant - 2 Chinese takeaway sized tubs over the holes in the cover board. When I checked 2 weeks ago they were feeding on it and there were plenty of bees in the hive. I will check them again this weekend and see how much they are taking. I hope they will be bringing some pollen in themselves soon as they need that to make new bees!