I've caught 5 swarms in the last three weeks. Two of the swarms were very good size and are doing well on thier own. The three other swarms are doing ok but the queens are unable to lay lots of eggs, because there are not enough bees to take care of them. So, I'm thinking of combining these three swarms. My Question is, what if these bees are different kinds. It is possible that one of these swarms are Carnolians. The rest of the bees are Italians. Will they get along if combined or will they fight to the finish? What would you experienced bee keepers do?
Thank You
If it were me I'd pinch the queen in the smallest colony 24 hrs before combining (news paper method) with the largest of the three as long as that queen is showing good brood patterns. Wait a couple of days and pinch the queen from the third colony and combine as before. My 2 cents
Of course, here in FL I would most likely nurse all three.
Scott
doesn't matter what 'breed' they are.
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When I started beekeeping 47 years ago, I bought lorts of swarms. I noticed that 4 kg bees occupye 2 langstroth boxes and it is a good start to the hive. They made one box brood and one box honey. After 4 weeks I had 3 box bees and it continued growing.
The swarm is in trouble when it is 3 weeks old and new bees have not emerged: where to put honey, pollen and brood.
I had this summer a one box nuc which brought 45 kg honey from raspberry blooming in 10 days. It had 5 brood frames only.
It is difficult to get the colony build up if the hive is at same time filled by honey. Only way is to add bees that they can handle the mesh.