Developing Plenty of Drawn Comb Above Brood Nest - Advice?

[Eric Conceicao]

Hi everyone,
I would really appreciate advice on how to obtain plenty of drawn comb above the brood nest within 7 months. My main flow begins in November, and I am currently feeding colonies (nuc starts) to fill 1 deep.  I have have learned that in my area bees often refuse to take advantage of the main flow (in winter) if there is not plenty of drawn comb available.
Is it wise to pyramid once this first deep is full?  Or a better idea to add another deep /w foundation and keep feeding until this 2nd deep is drawn with comb- then feed until an additional shallow is drawn. I greatly appreciate all tips/advice on how to pull this off correctly !

[mikecva]

Where are you located, It is not in your profile? How is the brood doing? Once the first box is 50% full of brood they should be building in the second box.

[Eric Conceicao]

Alright - ty for advice Mike. Would you advise baiting them up with a brood frame - or simply allowing them to naturally move up by baiting with foundation and simply feeding - as my objective is to have plenty of comb without brood above the nest for November. (I updated my info - I am located in zone 9 Portugal).

[OldMech]

If you have a queen excluder on they might need to be baited up..  I recommend not using any excluder until they have the comb mostly drawn..   They will draw the comb when they begin to need it, and as you already said, feed 1/1 syrup while they are drawing. Feed through a jar if possible with only three or four holes in it. That way they GET syrup to build with, but they do not get it fast enough to store it all away.  They will think that there IS a flow on and draw more comb if you feed.
   Once they get a box about 70 percent drawn put the next box on.

[Eric Conceicao]

Old Mech, I'm not using excluders, and I'm currently feeding 1:1 for comb building - so that should be on track. Good point with not feeding too fast as to avoid storing excess sugar syrup. Do you think that pushing for 2 deeps and then drawing a super may end up leading to swarming (even if feed is given at a slower pace)? Ty for advice- much appreciated.

[OldMech]

Bees swarm when they think they are strong enough, or they become overcrowded..  Overcrowded can mean a LOT of bees, or it can mean your brood nest is getting filled up with nectar and pollen and the queen has no place to lay..
   Keeping ahead of them by putting the boxes on just before they need them should help reduce the urge to swarm.

[Eric Conceicao]

   Keeping ahead of them by putting the boxes on just before they need them should help reduce the urge to swarm.

Great - so it looks like the current plan is to add a shallow super to the 2nd deep once it's 65% full or so to head off swarming - then feed 1:1 to hopefully get some comb in the shallow before November hits (there are constant - yet small - supplies of nectar through spring summer so I'm thinking encouraging the drawing of comb may be possible). The main point it seems is to make sure to prevent congestion and backfilling of brood nest through the whole process -ty for the guidance.