New Beek, I love woodworking so I was able to build 2 complete hive over the winter. I had a locust tree in my pasture that blowed over in Dec 2016. I found out that tree housed a colony. So fed them until April 25, and did a cut out. I lost my queen but managed to get the swarm in a hive. Biggest colony I have seen, the brood chamber in the tree was 4 ft. long. Which I made all my frames, so cut that out rubber banded all the brood I could in 2 these frames. I order a queen here kinda local within 200 miles, she arrived on day 6 after the cut out. So kept her caged for 3 days, let the bees release her. She is now laying very well, and aggressive bees has now calmed down, I believe when I was doing the cut 12x stung with a smoker and suit. I have not been stung since my new queen. I been feeding them but the flow here in Indiana is going strong, so they not to interested in it, but it's there. I also moved them 6 miles to let them reset. I believe that there going to be a great hive, there are tougher then any package you purchase. So next week I am praying we well have new nurse bees, my girls are now starting to get some age on them.. Thank you.
Welcome. :happy:
Welcome to the forum! Best of luck with your bees.
Welcome to Beemaster.
Sounds like you are doing a good job.
Jim
Thank you for the warm welcome.