Went into a healthy but full 8 frame hive today and found a good amount of drone brood. Maybe 150-200 capped drone cells. Also saw lots of eggs, larvae and worker brood to. What is the reason for them to be making these drones? I have a hive right next to them that has just re-queened themselves.....maybe these drones will fly out and breed with her when she goes on her mating flight.
Drones are not mature enough to mate until around 14 days after they emerge, so they may or may not be available for any virgins from your colony. A colony produces drones anytime the food resources are plentiful and the colony can afford the expense of raising them.
Thanks AR beekeeper