I hived my first package on April 5th. By around April 28 they had drawn out 7.5 to 8 frames in the first box so I added a second one and transferred a two brood frames from the first to this second. They seemed to be going great guns up to this point.
Now, a month later, the top deep has 7.5 to 8 frames drawn out and the lower still has only 8 frames drawn out. It's only the outside frames on both boxes that are not drawn and show few signs of activity.
Should I move the outermost frames in toward the center and back fill with frames of mostly capped honey from closer to the center? I'm not sure I have any frames that are 100% capped honey/nectar. I think they all have a bit of brood on them. I don't want to split up the brood nest too much, do I?
When do I add the shallow up top for honey? Yes, I've got 8 frames drawn in the top box, but still two empty down below.
Is it overly ambitious of me to think I'll need a honey super at all this first year?
Thanks.
you pretty much answered your own question. I would rotate the undrawn frames into the edge of the brood nest they will then draw them out. i usually dont add honey supers until they have all the frames in the brood boxes drawn unless they are just booming and need the room then i will add supers
Remember the bees work best when crowded, so let them crowd up.
Move the frames around to get them drawn.
I agree that you should move the undrawn frames in one and push a drawn frame out to the edges. If you have eight frames drawn in the upper and lower box I would think you should add a super, You don't want to shut the queen down by making them backfill the brood nest with honey. With eight frames drawn and brood in a lot of them when they hatch they will need more room. Just my opinion.