Organic pollen patties are protein supplements typically given to overwintering colonies to promote brood production in late winter and early spring. Made of brewer’s yeast, sugar syrup, and pollen powder.
Used responsibly, as they accelerate brood rearing that could otherwise result in starvation or overpopulation at the start of spring.
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Availability
Many beekeepers use pollen patties to provide their colonies with protein supplements in areas with limited natural pollen sources, or during emergency winter feeding to prevent starvation and stimulate brood rearing.
These protein substitutes mimic real pollen and make an easy, convenient, and ready-to-feed option for bees. Their exact mixture and protein/pollen ratio varies depending on their manufacturer.
These patties contain an AP23 formulation specially developed to meet the nutritional requirements of honey bees, providing optimal balance and levels. It consists of pollen, yeast/soy protein and sugar for bees to consume.
Beekeepers typically employ pollen patties from late winter into early Spring in order to stimulate brood rearing for the honey flow. They should be placed over brood frames near clusters for maximum consumption; alternatively they can be used all year if natural pollen sources are scarce.
Ingredients
Pollen patties are widely used by beekeepers as protein supplements to support brood production and keep hive populations strong during winter and late spring, when natural pollen supplies decrease significantly. They provide carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to the hive that helps rear drone brood efficiently while building stronger colonies.
Ultra Bee Plus, a pollen replacement made up of high-grade ingredients and naturally irradiated pollen from the USA, makes it easy for honey bees to consume the patty and increase their protein intake. Furthermore, this offering features essential oils, vitamins, dried egg powder and sugar syrup – an all-in-one package!
To make a patty, combine sugar and water in a mixing bowl until the sugar has completely dissolving, before gradually mixing in dry mix to achieve peanut-butter-like consistency. Finally, stir in brewer’s yeast and honeybee healthy as desired before placing on wax paper.
Nutritional value
Pollen patties provide commercial beekeepers with an easy solution for providing their colonies with protein when foraging is limited or consumed, or when colonies are stressed due to weather, pesticides, mites or disease.
These protein supplements can aid beekeepers in encouraging brood rearing and increasing hive population during spring. However, beekeepers should take caution in when feeding these supplements; too much bees at one time could potentially cause swarming.
There are various pollen patty alternatives, both organic and conventional. For the best results, choose products containing multiple ingredients like soybean flour and brewer’s yeast. It is essential that these patty be moist and flexible so as to encourage bee consumption; place the patty near the brood nest so bees can access it directly without having to travel through your hive first.
Storage
Beekeepers are responsible for maintaining the health of their honeybee colonies, and may need to supplement them with pollen alternatives when natural sources are unavailable. This is particularly relevant in areas with limited crops where bees cannot build up stores of pollen on their own. In such instances, using high-quality patties specifically formulated for honeybees that can be fed without disrupting their hive is key for their well-being.
The Mann Lake Patty is a ready-to-use product that does not require mixing, and can be fed either during spring brood building season, or autumn to prepare your hives for winter. It contains 15 percent real US pollen with 15.5% minimum total protein. Furthermore, HiveAlive, known to increase bee gut health and support brood production has also been added at high concentrations into this feed.
Before feeding a patty to children, its dryness and consistency must be evaluated carefully. It should be soft like peanut butter. If too hard or dry to bite into, discard and replace with another.
