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
Sounds great!
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.
Thanks. I AM happy :-D getting 5 more nucs tonight kinda happy. heh