I started 5-3#ers on April 19, about 4 weeks ago. 2 nights ago I checked them and the strongest one had six framed drawn with # 2 and #8 half drawn. Lots of eggs and brood and alot of activity. I added a 2nd story to only this hive and filled the top feeder. Last night I checked all the feeders and this hive didn't have any bees in the feeder. They are still coming and going strong as usual but they dont seem to be crossing the new foundation. My question is should I remove this 2nd brood chamber and wait another week or give them more time. My night time temps have been on average low to high 40s and daytime 60 to 70s. Dandelines are about done but apples are going strong
Give them more time. When all the new brood emerges, they will need the space and will move up on their own.
Steve
if you use plastic foundation, spray w/ some sugar water.
thanks all
I did use black plastic in the top but I painted it with a good coat of wax. I will spray it with syrup tonight. thanks Dan
Here is one trick that can be used if you were not using a top feeder and you were afraid of giving them too much space considering low temperature: If you add a a sheet of newspaper under the new box, they will chew it away when they need more space. Until then, the newspaper will help keeping the heat in the brood chamber.