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BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Dane Bramage on May 22, 2007, 12:09:52 AM

Title: Draw times for packages
Post by: Dane Bramage on May 22, 2007, 12:09:52 AM
Greetings all,

Appears my bees are off to a great start.  :?  I have 4 Nucs w/Carni queens and one package of Italians all installed in 10 frame (double-wired wax foundation) deeps.  The nucs had a ~3 week head start on the package, which I installed on 4/18, but it is the package that has really surprised me.  Last Friday they had fully drawn all but the outermost sides of all 10 frames.  :shock:  I *think* they had about 5 frames drawn the previous check (week + earlier, can't recall precisely).  So, needless to say, I added another brood box straight away!  The Carni-Nuc hives have all had the 2nd brood box for ~ 2 weeks.. .starting with 5 full frames, this growth rate seemed normal to me.  The package though... I wasn't expecting it to be so rapid.  Is this a typical growth rate?  Things were (& have since been) blooming well (*very* well) here so I've only fed them ~ 4 cups of sugar syrup (1:1) and one (1) pollen patty.  They've been on their own after that.  I can spot that FAT Italian queen every time I try (not as much success with the Carnis).
The blackberries aren't even started yet so I am really hopeful all the Carnis & the Italians stock up both their brood boxes and give me some surplus.  I've the medium supers staged and ready!  :-D

Dreaming of Blackberry honey & mead,
Dane
Title: Re: Draw times for packages
Post by: Draginol on May 22, 2007, 12:15:22 AM
Sounds great!
Title: Re: Draw times for packages
Post by: KONASDAD on May 22, 2007, 11:39:03 AM
I'm guessing they have more resources now than a few eeks ago and are catching up as a result. Sounds good to me. The rates hives draw out foundation vary greatly, even when placed next to one another. Be happy they're all doing so well.
Title: Re: Draw times for packages
Post by: Dane Bramage on May 22, 2007, 03:19:06 PM
Thanks.  I AM happy  :-D  getting 5 more nucs tonight kinda happy.  heh