Adding brood to new package

Started by leominsterbeeman, March 19, 2005, 09:18:22 PM

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leominsterbeeman

I checked today and my two strong colonies are alive, and well.  I saw capped brood and larvae.  In one hive I saw the queen. The winter stores looked pretty good, in so much that there was still a lot of capped honey.  There was still over a foot of snow that I had to tramp through to get to my hives.

:?:  :?:
I am adding to my apiary with adtional packages in 3 weeks.  My mentor told me that if my existing colonies are strong and they have multiple frames of capped brood, I can take a frame or two from the over-wintered colonies - move them to the new hives and dump the packages on top of them.    Sounds reasonable to me and helps with the typical die-off that accompanies a package for 3 weeks after installation.  Anyone else got experience or better ideas?  
:?:  :?:

thegolfpsycho

I like to give them a frame of unsealed brood to hold them when I install.    Lets em get right to work.  The sealed brood really jump starts them too.  Just don't give them more than they can keep warm if the weather is variable.