My 8 frame NUC is 3 weeks old, still plenty of room yet.
When it gets in the 80% full range, I want to add a second Brood Box.
I am more interested to build a strong vibrant hive before doing a split.
I am going to get a second NUC this week to start my second hive.
When I add the second Brood Box, is it ok to add a Honey Super at the same time?
I would like to get them accustomed to a Honey Super and have them store the Honey there.
But I have also read, not good to give them too much space at a time, partly makes it harder for the bees to regulate temperature and moisture.
Quote from: Captain776 on April 30, 2017, 10:29:53 PM
But I have also read, not good to give them too much space at a time, partly makes it harder for the bees to regulate temperature and moisture.
This is true - let them fill the second brood box before you add the super. They won't do anything up there until then, and it will just be lots of overhead empty space which can cause problems.
Quote from: tjc1 on April 30, 2017, 11:57:45 PM
Quote from: Captain776 on April 30, 2017, 10:29:53 PM
But I have also read, not good to give them too much space at a time, partly makes it harder for the bees to regulate temperature and moisture.
This is true - let them fill the second brood box before you add the super. They won't do anything up there until then, and it will just be lots of overhead empty space which can cause problems.
Thanks for the prompt reply.
When I got the NUC, I opted for 8 frames instead of 4 or 5, there was only a 30 dollar difference, so I opted for more bees to get started.
They gave it to me in a STD Langstroth hive, so I just left them in the hive they were accustomed to.
My thinking is to check them once a week and when I see the first box getting filled out, I will add a second Brood Box and when that is well established and getting full, then add the Super and it should be a strong thriving hive by then.
Thanks,
Bruce
Quote from: Captain776 on April 30, 2017, 10:29:53 PM
My 8 frame NUC is 3 weeks old, still plenty of room yet.
When it gets in the 80% full range, I want to add a second Brood Box.
I am more interested to build a strong vibrant hive before doing a split.
I am going to get a second NUC this week to start my second hive.
When I add the second Brood Box, is it ok to add a Honey Super at the same time?
I would like to get them accustomed to a Honey Super and have them store the Honey there.
But I have also read, not good to give them too much space at a time, partly makes it harder for the bees to regulate temperature and moisture.
Only add one box at a time. They will only work the next box up. If you can move a drawn frame up there also. If you give them to much room you give room for invasive pests to move in.