How Long for Brood with New Package

Straycat · April 15, 2011, 03:12:52 PM

Hello all

I installed my very first package of bees last Sunday, Apr 10, and did my first inspection on Apr 15. I spotted the Queen which was good and they have started drawing some of the comb out on frames 1-4. They have been taking maybe 1 quart of 1:1 sugar water each day but I have yet to see much in the line of pollen coming in.

I was wondering how long before the queen starts laying some brood down?

thanks

Straycat

bee-nuts · April 15, 2011, 03:59:42 PM

If you have a magnified glass take a look for eggs next time you poke around. The queen will sometimes lay eggs in cells as they draw them before they are even finished. Im sure she has already started laying, pollen or not. Soon you will see nice white grubs growing or capped brood. 21 days from egg to emerging bee. Then a couple weeks before they start flying. This is why I would prefer a nuc to a package but in a month or so your colony will start growing in population.

Have fun.

DCHoneybees · April 15, 2011, 09:03:36 PM

I saw eggs in my one week inspection:
DC Honeybees TV 4-3-11 Inspecting Foundationless Frames
And capped brood in my two week inspection:
DC Honeybees TV 4-10-11 Foundationless Frames 2nd Inspection

This was a #3 package of Italians from Hardemans.

Straycat · April 17, 2011, 12:42:33 PM

Thanks for the replies. I will have to get used to checking for eggs. I was so worked up about making sure the queen had been released and trying to find her that as soon as I did I closed the hive back up. I will be sure to check for eggs next week when I do my next inspection.

Straycat

Michael Bush · April 17, 2011, 02:09:28 PM

I have seen eggs in as soon as three days and as long as 14 days.

T Beek · April 18, 2011, 08:00:32 AM

Thanks for the vids DCHoneybees. The ending interaction with your daughter was priceless. My grandaughter is about the same age and works bees with me from time to time but she hasn't gotten stung yet. I'll be sending this post to her. Thanks again.

thomas

Tommyt · April 18, 2011, 09:21:44 AM

Quote from: T Beek on April 18, 2011, 08:00:32 AM
Thanks for the vids DCHoneybees. The ending interaction with your daughter was priceless.

+1

Tommyt

sc-bee · April 18, 2011, 12:41:10 PM

Not trying to be critical. I see you wear no protection(DC), hopefully your daughter was wearing at least a veil. The temperament of bees can change in a hurry in particular as a package grows into a full hive.

The odds of the errant sting directly to the eye may be rare but why take the chance???