by Véto-pharma After the sparse, cold winter months, spring marks the critical period for growth in honey bee colonies. This is the time when the bee population is built up, with new brood emerging, workers maturing, and bees preparing for the intensive foraging and pollination season ahead. To ensure the optimal development of individual worker bees and to maximize the colonies’ potential for honey production, one essential nutrient stands out: proteins. While bees naturally collect pollen to meet their nutritional needs, supplemental protein feeding can play a crucial role when natural pollen sources are scarce or inadequate.
Proteins are fundamental for the individual development of worker bees. For example, they are essential for the development of the bees’ hypopharyngeal glands, which produce royal jelly that bees feed to developing larvae and queens.1 Additionally, the development of the mandibular glands, which are involved in secreting substances used in hive maintenance and defense, is influenced significantly by protein availability.2 During spring, when these glands need to be fully functional to meet the demands of the colony, adequate protein intake ensures their proper development and functionality.
During the spring, bee colonies experience increased brood production, which requires significant amounts of protein to ensure the larvae grow and develop into healthy adult bees. Protein is used to support the production of vitellogenin, a protein vital for brood care and egg-laying, as well as for the workers’ health and immune responses. 3 If protein is scarce, the colony’s ability to rear brood effectively is reduced, leading to slower colony growth and potentially weaker colonies.
Research studies have demonstrated that supplemental protein feeding can significantly boost brood rearing and colony growth. Research from Anđelković et al. (2011) shows that when colonies were fed with supplemental protein during spring, they exhibited improved brood production, stronger worker populations, and overall healthier colonies.4 In essence, by providing the right kind of protein, beekeepers can ensure that their colonies are strong, resilient, and prepared for the foraging season ahead.
In addition to boosting brood development, protein supplementation plays a vital role in enhancing a colony’s overall pollination efficiency and ability to gather food resources. According to a study by Hoover et al. (2022), colonies fed supplemental protein during spring saw improved growth rates and increased pollination capacity.5 When there are more worker bees available, the colony becomes more efficient at pollination with positive implications for agricultural crops. Honey bee colonies are crucial for pollinating many agricultural crops, and strong, healthy colonies can provide better coverage for flowering plants, improving crop yields.
In addition, colonies with a strong worker bee population are better equipped to forage, increasing the colony’s overall productivity. Healthy, protein-fed colonies are also better able to maintain hive productivity throughout the spring and summer, allowing them to capitalize on the full nectar flow and produce surplus honey. 5 By ensuring that bees have the right nutritional foundation in the spring, beekeepers can set the stage for a more abundant honey harvest at the end of the season.
Further, supplemental protein helps strengthen the colony’s immune system. With an adequate protein supply, bees are more resilient to diseases and pests that could otherwise weaken the colony. Research has shown that colonies with a sufficient supply of protein are better able to resist the detrimental effects of pathogens such as Nosema, a common gut parasite, and other environmental stressors.6 According to Hoover et al. (2022), protein-fed colonies exhibit stronger immune responses, making them more capable of defending against pathogens and maintaining overall health. Additionally, Anđelković et al. (2011) found that protein supplementation improves colony vitality, making bees more resilient to stressors like disease and poor environmental conditions.4 These findings underline the importance of maintaining proper protein levels to promote colony strength and disease resistance, especially during the critical growth period in spring.
There are several common forms of protein feed that beekeepers can choose from, each with its own benefits. One recommendation that holds true for all of the different option is that the protein level of the supplement should be about 25% (dry weight, including sugar).7 A mixture of protein sources may help to balance the amino acid ratios.
Each type of protein feed can be effective, and the choice of form depends on the beekeeper’s preference, the colony’s needs, and the specific environmental conditions.
When providing supplemental protein, there are a few key rules to follow in order to maximize the benefits for your colonies:
Spring is a critical time for honey bee colonies, and protein feeding plays an essential role in promoting colony growth and health. By providing supplemental protein when natural sources are limited, beekeepers can enhance colony strength, improve pollination potential, and ensure that bees are well-equipped for the busy months ahead. Protein feeding helps support the growth of healthy worker bees, increases brood viability, and boosts the colony’s ability to forage and pollinate effectively. When managed correctly, supplemental protein feeding helps build stronger, more resilient colonies that can withstand environmental pressures and thrive throughout the spring and summer.
by Véto-pharma 
by Véto-pharma 
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