Add another Brood Box?

Started by ktrease, July 04, 2008, 09:59:35 AM

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ktrease

July 04, 2008, 09:59:35 AM
I have 2 hives that I started from packages in the spring of 07 that are now bursting at the seams. I have 2 supers on them right now , but was wondering about adding a third deep to the hives for more brood space. The queen hasn't been laying in the supers. I don't really want to do a split on these hives right now, going into the heat of summer and not really sure if they would have enough time to rebuild for winter.

I also have 8 hives I started from packages this spring.

Thanks,

Kev

Michael Bush

#1
July 04, 2008, 05:11:55 PM
You can do that if you like.  The down side is if they fill it with honey, which they probably will eventually anyway, they will weigh 90 to 100 pounds.
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CBEE

#2
July 04, 2008, 05:47:11 PM
Why not throw another medium super on them and keep the deep for another hive if you are using deeps for brood boxes ?

dmyrix

#3
July 12, 2008, 09:00:41 AM
So I can't help, but I have a related firstie question.  We have three hives, all started this spring, one from a nuc and the other two from packages.  Two are medium-super based and the third is deep-based.  We have three medium supers on each of those hives and two deep supers on that hive.  All three are bursting at the seams, which is good!  BUT, we were told that all honey supers come off 15 July to allow the bees to ramp for winter.  We were also told to overwinter with three medium supers or two deep supers.  On the other hand, we don't want to cause a swarm due to overcrowding.  Do we throw more supers on?  With or without a queen excluder?  Should we think about splits?

Appreciate any suggestions, thanks!  -- Dawn
Dawn

buzzbee

#4
July 12, 2008, 09:10:49 AM
If they are filling boxes,i would let them. If they don't have enough stores in early fall you can always feed them.If the brood nest gets too packed with honey,they could swarm leaving you with a small amount of foragers and very few bees to winter over.

BenC

#5
July 12, 2008, 02:41:38 PM
Quote from: buzzbee on July 12, 2008, 09:10:49 AM
If they are filling boxes,i would let them.


Yep, If the queen has layed up all available space then give her more.  Always take advantage of a strong colony, it's surplus of drawn or filled (with brood or food) combs can always be used to boost a weaker one if need be.
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