This hive is about five days old in this hive. I got the hive from a water meter. I did not see the queen when I took the hive. I left it alone except to put sugar water in the top box. Anyway I checked the hive this morning so see there was eggs. Well my daughter saw the queen swimming in the water bucket I had close to the hive. How she got in the water I dont know but I grabbed her and then she started flying around in a big circle. I cought her again and she took off again. This time I lost her during the flight. Anyway if it common for the queen to fly around and will she be able to make her way back. I closed up the hive and they went back to normal pretty quickly. I checked on them several more times and they were at the door fanning and others coming and going. I am hoping she makes it. I did see eggs on the cone.
Check back in a few days and see if she's in there. The queen in the water bucket could be a virgin from this hive or from another colony. Virgin queens are very flighty. I've had queens from new and established colonies fly off. They usually will come right back to the hive by evening.
...JP
Thanks JP. It seams I am learning about bees the hard and fast way. My first hive left within 24 hrs. The second one was robbed and murdered. This will be my third one. The hive still appears to be fine. Several outside fanning and the other are coming and going.
Seems like your hive in question is queenright. Only way to know for certain is to inspect the hive.
...JP