my two nuc's were purchased May 31, 2014. I placed them into a medium deep. The queens are not rally laying that well. What's a good way to get the numbers built up quickly? There is larva and closed brood but I would like to see better numbers.
I have read and heard that feeding 1/1 syrup makes queen think there is a flow on and she will lay better than if feeding 2/1, I guess thicker is fall flow and thinner is spring. If your not feeding due to expecting to harvest honey, then I don't know about that.
Are you having a normal season or are you getting way to much rain that is keeping the bees in? First thing is if you have a screened bottom board close the thing off and let the bees maintain a warm nest where they can raise brood more easily. Feeding some 1:1 and monitoring the hives so they don't plug up with it would indeed speed buildup. Don't let the bees run out of room and hopefully as their population builds they will be able to cover and raise more brood.
I got a hive that took months to fill out the first brood deep. we were getting concerned she was not quality goods. and what to do? sooo I put the non drawn combs (checker boarded). nothing I have heard recommends this, but hay if she goes I lost a non productive hive! Big deal
finally we put on the second deep she did well after that a little slow with filling the honey super again big deal. we needed to learn this. she has now swarmed and time will tell
jay