On 5/18, I installed 2 (3lb.) packages into TBHs. I've checked & fed them every 3-5 days. One hive seems to be doing well, has capped brood & larva. I did see the queen, but could not see eggs. Both hives have been calm & gentle, have built comb etc.
The other hive has Larva and what looks like capped Drone brood, but no worker brood. I could not locate the Queen. If the weather is OK, I'll try to find her again tomorrow. Thanks for any advice.
Post pics of your findings tomorrow.
I lost a hive once due to a drone laying queen. Every time I checked I would see the queen and lots of eggs but only drone brood. I finally figured it out when I marked a frame full of eggs in worker cells and the next day they were all empty. I guess the comb police knew they weren't right and hauled them out / eat them or what ever they do. By the time I ordered a queen and she started laying it was too late. Hive beetles moved in and robbers right behind them. The next day when I opened the hive the queen was the only live bee in the hive.
I've lost several hives and I try to Learn something from each of them.
Drone cells look like kix cereal. Worker cells are MOSTLY flat (although slightly convex). The difference is striking. If you have all drone cells, you need a new queen ASAP. In my experience package suppliers who provided a drone laying queen will usually replace her for you.