Adding boxes - brood and honey - to established hives

[tjc1]

What are indicators/rules of thumb for adding boxes to an established hive (2years +) as the season progresses? I am in New England so I know that will have an effect. My two older hives are moving along well this spring, with one well established in the upper deep after I reversed the boxes earlier. Will they need another brood box before the honey super(s) goes on? Does the usual rule apply in regards to adding another box when they are working 80% of the topmost box, or is it sooner, given that they are working on drawn comb?

Thanks!

[GSF]

I've always followed the 80% rule - don't mean it's right tho.

[iddee]

My opinion is, 80% if adding foundation, sooner if adding drawn comb and SHB are not a problem.

[tjc1]

Any thoughts about whether an established hive with 2 deeps will need another brood box before a honey super? I read about folks with big stacks of boxes and wonder if that's a need for an established colony?

[Steel Tiger]

 I give my bees plenty of room. Some people say too much room, but the bees only work where they want. I would rather them have an extra box to store nectar than keeping them tight and discovering swarm cells because the queen doesn't have room to lay.
If both your brood boxes are full, there's no harm in adding a third. The worse that could happen is that they start storing honey. If the hive is really booming, I might add the third deep and a medium as well.

I threw a package into two deeps and a medium a month ago. Last check (last Thursday) they were working the top deep. I'm planning on checking the bottom deep tomorrow to see if they drawn all the frames. If not, I'll be moving empty frames into the middle. If so, I'll move a couple of frames of brood up.

[sc-bee]

Walt Wright with nectar management stays two empty supers ahead. Drawn comb before white wax..... foundation after white wax. As someone said be careful of shb, if they are a problem for you in your area too much room could spell disaster.