How long until package queen lays?

johnwm73 · April 14, 2009, 04:48:22 PM

I installed 2 new packages into 2 hives on drawn comb on Friday April 10,2009. I removed the queen cages on Tuesday April 14, 2009. The queens had been released and I located them on the frames. How long after should I start seeing brood comb? I didn't see any when I pulled the frame out on either side or on any in the box.

iddee · April 14, 2009, 05:31:42 PM

When I introduce a caged queen, I check in 7 days. There are eggs most every time.

Michael Bush · April 14, 2009, 08:50:59 PM

Usually just a few days. Sometimes two weeks.

TwT · April 15, 2009, 06:20:30 AM

from what I seen a queen that has been caged a few days is shut down and it takes from 3-6 days before you see eggs, might be longer but 6 days is the most I seen, most in 3-4 days, if it would take longer than 6 days I would think she was banked a while and if so it could take 10-12 days from what I heard.

CBEE · April 15, 2009, 11:04:31 AM

Probably varies a little with each package. I installed 2 packages on Wed and when I checked on them Sunday afternoon they had built a small section of comb on the bottom of each cage and there were eggs in them. A couple more days and they would have buried the cages in comb

MnBill · April 17, 2009, 10:12:57 AM

I waited 7 days. When I checked on day seven, there were eggs everywhere. Comb isn't even built out yet, I have the plastic foundation with the raise octagons, but the quees is laying within the octagons.....hopfuly the workers can keep up with her and build up those cells faster than the bees can grow! :-D

CBEE · April 17, 2009, 03:38:02 PM

Lay the feed to them bill, the bees will take care of the rest :-D