Liebefelder Schätzmethode
Colony strength estimator
The Liebefelder method estimates colony strength by assessing comb area in eighths (1/8 steps): how much is covered with bees, brood, pollen, and feed. Estimation values and seasonal guidelines are based on the population-estimation cheat sheet by Dr. Pia Aumeier, Germany.
Bees
comb area covered with a layer of bees, both sides counted
Capped worker brood
emerges within 0–12 days
Open worker brood
emerges within 13–21 days
Drone brood
capped 0–14 d, open 15–24 d
Pollen
stored bee bread
Feed / honey
capped or open stores
Enter your eighth counts above to see the estimate.
Select a context to evaluate the colony.
Pull out each frame
Remove one frame at a time. Look straight at each side and estimate in eighths how much of the comb surface is covered with bees, brood, pollen, or feed.
Count both sides
Each frame has two sides. A frame fully covered with bees on both sides adds 16 eighths to the total.
Round down when in doubt
Underestimating is safer than overestimating — round to the nearest lower eighth.
Capped worker brood
All currently capped worker cells emerge within 0–12 days.
Open worker brood
Open worker cells emerge within 13–21 days.
Drone brood
Capped drone cells emerge within 0–14 days, open drone cells within 15–24 days.
Rule of thumb
About 1,000 emerged bees fill one Wabengasse — expand the hive before the colony outgrows it.
Throughout the year
At least 1 kg of feed at all times — for production colonies and splits alike.
Wintering, warm region (e.g. NRW)
Production colonies: 13 kg pure sugar = 18 kg / 13 L syrup ≈ 8 full Zander combs. Splits: 10 kg sugar = 14 kg / 10 L syrup ≈ 6 full Zander combs.
Wintering, cool region (e.g. BW, Bavaria)
Production colonies: 20 kg pure sugar = 28 kg / 20 L syrup ≈ 12 full Zander combs. Splits: 15 kg sugar = 21 kg / 15 L syrup ≈ 9 full Zander combs.
Before the spring flow (Feb–Mar)
In a wet, cold early spring: at least 10 kg of feed remaining.
Queen — 16 days
From the egg (swarm or silent supersedure): 3 d egg + 5 d larva + 8 d pupa. Emergency cells started from a ~2-day-old larva emerge after just 11 days. One queen per colony.
Worker — 21 days
From the fertilized egg: 3 d egg + 6 d larva + 12 d pupa. A colony holds 5,000–40,000 workers.
Drone — 24 days
From the unfertilized egg: 3 d egg + 7 d larva + 14 d pupa. A colony holds 0–1,000 drones.