I'm in my third year of this. The two packages I started this year are really doing great. I use all mediums and I've got three boxes each. Top boxes are all stores and a little brood, bottom two boxes look really nice. Queens are doing a great job. I wasn't planning to rob them this year, but if I put a honey super on right here at the beginning of sourwood season, there may be more surplus than needed by fall. My fear is that if I leave the extra, there will end up being too much room and if I take it, well then I'm robbing first year bees and I don't think that is right either. I only fed them for about two months, but that stopped weeks ago. So, what to do? :-\
it's not about right and wrong. it's about what they need. if they need, leave it. if there's extra, take it. no harm in trying. i have had first year hives that have produced lots of surplus and older hives that have not. it's a judgement call.
i will say this though, if they are bringing in enough to fill the hvie, you'd better give them more room or you'll end up with late swarms and that's no good.
If you super and they don't use it there's no harm done. If you don't super and they do need it, read Kathy's post
If your sourwood flow is just starting and you hive is close to full, they could fill the hive with honey with no room for more laying, so I would add the super. If the sourwood flow is anything like popcorn, they could make a good bit of honey.
I had a swarm move into a empty hive this spring, the flow had started, I didn't feed them at all. When I check and took first honey this year from my hives I had 1 super on them. I checked again last weekend they had 3 super almost ready. As Kathy said some first year hives do better than some older ones. Good luck
Joe
Sourwood is a premium grade honey. as I am sure you are aware of. Why would you not super???
i'm about to split and or rob a few first year hives this week. i plan on a good fall flow. if i can get some more from them in october i won't lose any sleep. this is my third year back in and last year i only pulled two frames and the year before none. this year i'm going to go all democrat on them and collect some taxes. super those hives!