crowded observation hive

[phill]

My (3-frame) observation hive is doing well-- almost too well. It's getting crowded in there, and I'm wondering what to do before they get the urge to swarm.

Should I try to make a split? Doesn't seem that 3 frames would be enough. Or transfer them to a full-sized hive, and wait for them to build up until I can do a split and take some back to the o-hive?

[Spear]

I would put them in a full size hive and let them build up... Maybe someone else has a better idea...

[BeesPleese]

I would put them in a full size hive and let them build up... Maybe someone else has a better idea...

I beelieve that's a good idea considering the situation. I'm not sure how well such a small hive would do if split. Question is what to do with the queen?

[Spear]

Use a 5 frame nuc and slowly let them build up till they are strong enough to over winter in the nuc.

[Kathyp]

i agree with the others.  then i'd take some eggs and bees from that nuc (later) or from another hive and watch them raise a queen.  that's interesting also.

one thing i learned though, the capped brood still needs plenty of bees with it.  i had been under the impression that once capped, they no longer needed tending and this is not true.  if you repopulate the hive with frames from another hive, be sure to take enough bees to tend both the open and unopened cells.

[OldMech]

This is the reason I do not like most observation hives. Not enough frames to sustain a colony that wants to grow.
   Think of your OB hive as a nuc..  if you want to keep it as a nuc, you need to remove bees and or brood so they do not overpopulate and swarm. Give a frame to a week hive and put a drawn frame back in the OB hive. Do this every time you must, to maintain the population. Just make sure to leave the queen in it..
   Is this an indoor hive? Do you plan to winter it? lot of things to think about..  If you don't intend to keep it going, then as stated, put them in a nuc or a single hive body and let them grow. As early as it is they should make a full colony WELL before winter arrives. Ready to split next spring to put bees back in the OB hive..