Great butterfly pictures! I love reading about the bees. My husband and I have been talking about starting a hive for a couple years now. The set up cost is pretty high. I just built a chicken coop a couple years ago and need to enlarge the outside area this year. But I am hoping to be ready for bees next season.

We are treatment free, small cell beekeepers. In 2005, we had 4 hives, but lost em all in 2006. We just got back into bees 2015. We lost some hives this past winter due to the cold snap in March. When we opened the hive, we found dead bees that blocked the entrance / exit so the remaining bees couldn't get out.
:( We knew there was a good possibility some wouldn't make it through the winter, so we ordered packages in January. We order from Wolf Creek Bees (TN). Ruth (owner) sells small cell bees (can be hard to find). Anyhow, we're back on track and the girls are busy making honey.

We have chickens too (and Nigerian Dwarf goats). I have a 'mutt' flock of chickens and also a separate flock of Rhode Island White chickens. RI Whites are not related to RI reds - separate breed altogether. RI Whites are pretty rare. I'm part of an effort to bring them back check out Rhode Island White group on fb).

I work full-time, but hubby is self employed and is there to watch over things while I'm at work.

That is too bad about losing the bees! It seems like it happens a lot these days. They are up against a lot! The weather was crazy this past spring! It was so warm too early then got way too cold for too late. The poor bees! I want to check out those Rhode Island whites! I will look for the group on FB. Are you a member at Backyard Chickens? I am my name is flutterbug.

Here is a link to my pics of my mixed flock. 3 Silkies 3 Red Stars & an Ancona (I used to have 4 Red Stars, one passed away this spring. :(
http://www.backyardchickens.co...

I am trying to type and eat ice cream at the same time.. It isn't going so well! lol I replied twice by accident.

OMG 3 Times! lol I forgot to mention I have some babies in a brooder too! 4 more Silkies, 2 Easter Eggers & a White Leghorn

I tried finding the FB page and I don't think I found the right one. Can you put a link?

You might like the Northeastern Poultry Congress always held 3rd weekend in January. A great way to see some quality poultry and deter the winter doldrums.

http://www.poultrycongress.com...

Donna

Thanks!