Howdy Mentors!,
3# package hived one week ago.
Observing entrance activity, some workers are much smaller than others. When bulk bees are collected before packaging, is it common for multiple races of bees to get in the mix?
I can't wait to open the hive in 3 more days to check for eggs and/or larvae. They are hived in a 10 frame medium with 9 drawn combs and 1 foundation. Would it be too early to add another medium? I have a bunch more drawn comb, but was thinking I should have them draw some more frames in the second super. Any thoughts on what mix of foundation and drawn comb should be added?
Bob
the ones that look fat are full of nectar. Unless you are looking at drones.
Which are about twice the size of workers.
I am not up on package bees, but I wouldn't think any suppliers would mix like that.
Put another on. have you checked to see if the queen is released?
doak
Quote from: doak on April 29, 2008, 11:56:00 PM
have you checked to see if the queen is released?
doak
Yes! She was released when we checked @ 3 days. Removed the queen cage and burr comb. It was cold and rainy for a couple days, but temps hit 65 today and there was lots of activity. Lots of different colors of pollen being brought in too.
I was planning on arranging another medium to put on Thursday.
FDFDDFDFDF F=Foundation D = Drawn comb.
Bob
I have different looking bees in my packages too. Most are the usual gold.w/blk stripes but some are almost black, with very little gold at all. They look smaller too but that could be cause they are darker & everyone knows black makes you look smaller:roll: Isn't it exciting to look in & see what they have done? Mine should have their 1st batch emerging this weekend. Woo Hoo :-D Jody
Quote from: Bob Delp on April 30, 2008, 12:08:27 AM
Quote from: doak on April 29, 2008, 11:56:00 PM
have you checked to see if the queen is released?
doak
Yes! She was released when we checked @ 3 days. Removed the queen cage and burr comb. It was cold and rainy for a couple days, but temps hit 65 today and there was lots of activity. Lots of different colors of pollen being brought in too.
I was planning on arranging another medium to put on Thursday.
FDFDDFDFDF F=Foundation D = Drawn comb.
Bob
It looks like they got allot of work done in just three days.
If they have filled that box, add another.
I'd put the drawn together and the empty together. If they decide to use it for honey storage they will draw out the drawn deeper and ignore the foundation if you intersperse them like that.
Young bees (newly emerged) are smaller than adult bees. Drones, of course are much larger than either but still vary in size a lot. It's not genetics, it's the various ages and possibly various sized cells they were raised in.