Splitting a queenless hive

Started by contactme_11, May 31, 2009, 10:05:36 AM

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contactme_11

May 31, 2009, 10:05:36 AM
It's been rainy here and I've been busy so I haven't got out to check the bees in a couple of weeks. Today was nice so I went out and found one hive was unusually loud, not a good sign. The comb in this hive was also pretty funky so I decided to clean it up and investigate. It was queenless, capped brood, no eggs or larva. LOTS of queen cells (maybe 12, 2 broke open in moving things and larva was almost mature).
So what I did. I cleaned up all the funky comb and split the hive as 2 separate hives w/6 frames brood, 2 storage, and 2 fresh frames. Each has at least 5 queen cells now. I figured if I leave it they can each raise a queen and I'll get 2 hives out of this one. Did I do anything wrong here? Thoughts? I have a nuc that is really low on bees but has a good laying queen I could combine with one of these, should I?

Michael Bush

#1
May 31, 2009, 11:41:51 AM
It all depends on what you want.  Do you want more hives or one strong hive?
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

adgjoan

#2
May 31, 2009, 11:45:21 AM
Is it possable your hive has swarmed and the new queen has not emerged from her cell yet?  By splitting the hive you may have stopped an after swarm.  I would leave all as is.  If any of the hives look weak in the fall I would do a combine. They have time to build up now.  At least these are the thoughts of a first year beek.  Lets see what the veterin beeks say.

Joan

contactme_11

#3
May 31, 2009, 12:19:04 PM
Quote from: Michael Bush on May 31, 2009, 11:41:51 AM
It all depends on what you want.  Do you want more hives or one strong hive?
I would like to build up the number of hives I have. I figured with so many queen cells and plenty of capped brood it wouldn't be a bad time to split. Was I wrong?

Michael Bush

#4
May 31, 2009, 07:00:17 PM
Time will tell.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

wadehump

#5
May 31, 2009, 09:37:34 PM
I split a 2 deep brood hive loaded with bees on the 25th of may. today i inspected and found about 10 queens cells capped on 2 frames 6 on one and 4 on another. I  then split the queen cells up and put 5 frames in a new box so hopefully i will end up with 2 more hives out of this one split. with a dearth expected around july if and when it quits raining i will have to feed to get them built up for the coming winter.
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