Queen Bee laying on the GROUND!

[Hemlock]

DID I DO THE RIGHT THING?

I found one of my Queens on the ground beneath her hive today.  She was alive but covered by a handful of bees; some dead.  Last night temp was 44 degrees.  I put her back on the hive entrance where the other bees quickly surrounded her then escorted her back inside.

I'm sure she is from that hive.  Yesterday I replaced the solid bottom board with a screened board.  I then flipped the brood boxes to get the bottom brood chamber up high in the cluster area.  She, the Queen, was laying near where I stack my boxes.  I am amazed that she could have fallen out!

[Robo]

I've had similar things happen a few times in the past.   You did the right thing,  she should be OK.

[Highlandsfreedom]

What a catch!!!  Good thing you went back to do a follow up eh?

[David LaFerney]

Pretty remarkable that you spotted her.  This wouldn't probably be a good time to be queenless.  One more reason to keep up some nucs.

[Hemlock]

It seems like all luck that I found her. I was taking Fall pictures and went to take one of the hives.  I actually knelt down right next to her.  If not for the pictures I would not have been to the hives today. I don't know how long she'd have lived.  Could they still be feeding her?

Thank you to all who left comments.  aun Aprendo