Deep Question

[Dr. B in Wisconsin]

Hello
I installed a new 3 lb package into an existing empty deep that had honey and built out comb. After about 11 days I had covered brood which I thought was quite fast. I thought it was time to place the second deep with built out comb and honey on the frames on after 16 days since i saw quite a bit more brood. The question is I placed the second deep on the bottom of the first deep since it was still cold here in Wisconsin, looks like it is finally going to get warm now. Can I leave the second deep on the bottom or should I place it on the top of the first one?? Bees are using the top entrance. Thanks for any advice.

[Kathyp]

bottom is fine.  i like doing the brood boxes that way.  the only drawback is that you have to remove the top box to closely check the bottom...which you will probably do as a newer beekeeper.
i usually just pull a few frames from the top and use a flashlight to take a look at the bottom box.

if they don't move down, do as you would if they don't move up.  swap a couple of  frames of brood from the full box, into the bottom.

[Vance G]

The dead air space from the box underneath will actually help the bees with heat control and I would advise against any upper entrance for that reason.   With a package, you won't have much reason to look in that lower box anyway.  You will know it is time to put a super on when you start seeing white comb on your top bars in the upper box.   By all means keep inspecting the upper box carefully.  How else will you learn?  I am past that stage, so anytime I see a frame with eggs and brood in a good large patch, I know all is well and put it back together.  Have fun.

[RandyMM]

A buddy of mine has been adding all his second deeps to the bottom with good success. I am trying it with some of mine, I added a week ago. I'm going back to check them this week to see how they're doing. Of course we're way down here in TX and it may be totally different way up there. -Randy

[AndrewT]

That sounds like a pretty good idea. I'm going to try that.