Why do we need to keep records?
We need to know when we're next due to inspect a colony. There are the Ted Hooper five questions which should be asked of every inspection.
R - Room: Does the queen have enough room to lay? Do the workers have enough room to store nectar and pollen?
E - Eggs: Is the queen present and laying? Are there eggs and/or have you seen the queen?
D - Development: Is the colony building up as expected? Are there queen cells?
D - Disease: Are the bees healthy? Do they have noticeable mite loads? Any sign of foul brood, chalk brood, DWV, etc.?
S - Stores: Does the colony have enough stores until the next inspection?
It can be used to remind us what equipment to take to the apiary - for instance extra supers or clearer boards or a smaller entrance block.
Even if you have a great memory it's always good to have a written record. It isn't too hard when you only have one hive but when you have a few it can easily just blur into a mystery as to what was in which hive.
In case of illness or holiday - someone else will be able to inspect your bees.
The BBKA hive record sheet
https://www.bbka.org.uk/bbka-hive-keeping-record-system
hiverecord-screengrab by Diane drinkwater, on Flickr
Which hive record sheet do you use?
We need to know when we're next due to inspect a colony. There are the Ted Hooper five questions which should be asked of every inspection.
R - Room: Does the queen have enough room to lay? Do the workers have enough room to store nectar and pollen?
E - Eggs: Is the queen present and laying? Are there eggs and/or have you seen the queen?
D - Development: Is the colony building up as expected? Are there queen cells?
D - Disease: Are the bees healthy? Do they have noticeable mite loads? Any sign of foul brood, chalk brood, DWV, etc.?
S - Stores: Does the colony have enough stores until the next inspection?
It can be used to remind us what equipment to take to the apiary - for instance extra supers or clearer boards or a smaller entrance block.
Even if you have a great memory it's always good to have a written record. It isn't too hard when you only have one hive but when you have a few it can easily just blur into a mystery as to what was in which hive.
In case of illness or holiday - someone else will be able to inspect your bees.
The BBKA hive record sheet
https://www.bbka.org.uk/bbka-hive-keeping-record-system
hiverecord-screengrab by Diane drinkwater, on Flickr
Which hive record sheet do you use?