5 packages hived 4/2. filled the first box pretty quick. have slowed down on second box and seem to be storing sugar water. is this normal? any suggestions? I am running 8frame mediums, foundation-less.
If both boxes are drawn 80%, add another box. I would put it in the middle. Others may disagree on where to put it.
added second box after 80% built in first. they not doing much in second :?
Did you add your box to the top or bottom?
something I've done is take a frame with the least amonut of comb, not burr comb and place it the empty centered to just off center. of course, that's if nothing else is available, then place an empty frame in between two drawn.
Quote from: wd on April 23, 2011, 10:06:37 PM
Did you add your box to the top or bottom?
something I've done is take a frame with the least amonut of comb, not burr comb and place it the empty centered to just off center. of course, that's if nothing else is available, then place an empty frame in between two drawn.
did that
added the box on top
Whats left? leave them be, keep adding empty frames in between drawn as mentioned, reverse the order of boxes and or add drawn comb from some place else. With out resources, I'd have to wait and watch which I've done.
Quote from: iddee on April 23, 2011, 09:05:27 PM
If both boxes are drawn 80%, add another box. I would put it in the middle. Others may disagree on where to put it.
Package is like a swarm. It has no brood like a nuc. It takes 4 weeks before new bees start to emerge and the number of bees will rise.
80% figure is meant to normal colony where all the time new bees will became more.
feed feed feed - so the laying area will be lost from the queen.
When you have a package colony or nuc, the most important thing is to get much brood, not drawn combs.
I figure two years, with out brood all is lost until queen right, I'd still be sure they enough space but too much.