I am trying to build up a small nuc after a trap out. I have managed to get them to make a new queen and she seems to be laying - although not in great numbers. It is autumn here now but the weather has been good and still quite warm - over 20 deg C during the day. Have been feeding them a little and regularly check on them.
Yesterday I found it interesting to find the queen all by herself on an empty frame - she just kept on wandering round the frame - perhaps inspecting. I enticed her to get back on a frame with some bees and she seemed quite happy. A couple of pictures attached.
Is it normal for the queen to wander off by herself like that?
(http://s18.postimg.org/5xtly4cwl/2013_05_05_12_17_58.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5xtly4cwl/)
(http://s13.postimg.org/j24s2bz5f/2013_05_05_12_20_02.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/j24s2bz5f/)
The queen tends to traverse the entire hive from time to time, but spends most of her time in the brood nest with her attendants. Typically the will follow her...