Is there a problem if I add a 9 5/8" frame or two of brood/pollen/bees to a newly hived packaged colony to boost drawn comb and hive population? If I can, should it be done before the queen is released or does it matter? I have one hive that would not be fazed if they lost a frame or two. I did this with two hives established by swarms with no problems.
>Is there a problem if I add a 9 5/8" frame or two of brood/pollen/bees to a newly hived packaged colony to boost drawn comb and hive population?
If you shake off the bees it isn't a problem. If you don't it might be. They might fight.
> If I can, should it be done before the queen is released or does it matter?
If you leave the bees on the frame, I'd do it before.
> I have one hive that would not be fazed if they lost a frame or two. I did this with two hives established by swarms with no problems.
Packages generally take off really well anyway.
Mike,
Thanks for your input.