Ok this has started to bother me a little as with all the information I've read it seems a bit odd. I have yet to see a drone cell in any of my hives. Both hives look like they're on the verge of a population explosion and needing another medium brood chamber; since the hives have started expanding and all but the top portion of and a few little spots here and there are packed with worker brood going on the 5th week since installation. Does this seem a little odd to anyone else or am I just being a worry wort? Oh and there are a few drones here and there, but they either came with the package or came from another hive as I'm positive I've not seen a capped drone cell.
Quote from: wtiger on June 12, 2007, 10:25:26 AM
Ok this has started to bother me a little as with all the information I've read it seems a bit odd. I have yet to see a drone cell in any of my hives. Both hives look like they're on the verge of a population explosion and needing another medium brood chamber; since the hives have started expanding and all but the top portion of and a few little spots here and there are packed with worker brood going on the 5th week since installation. Does this seem a little odd to anyone else or am I just being a worry wort? Oh and there are a few drones here and there, but they either came with the package or came from another hive as I'm positive I've not seen a capped drone cell.
Have you put a smaller frame inside the brood (super frame) so that they can make drone comb on that?
one colony is starter strips so they draw whatever they want. The other is on pierco frames so I was going to wait until they were big enough to add another brood box before I gave them an empty frame to do with as they please. On a side note the colony started on starter strips appears to be the stronger of the two. With more drawn frames and a larger brood nest.
From my understanding and what I have read on this forum, the bees know what to do and when to do it. I would not worry about drones. I also noticed very little amount of drones in my strong hive compared to what I usually see. Oh well!! If they need them, they will make them.
Annette
Lack of drone cells are a blessing, it tells you the bees are focusing on developing their home and have no intention of swarming. Even if there were a queen cup or 2 to be found the lack of drone brood says, Hey, we like it here and we're working.
Enjoy the serendipity.