Combining Hives

[leechmann]

I have a hive that was doing fair aproximately month ago. The hive swarmed and has regressed ever since. I was inspecting the hive today and found that it still has a good population of bees, but the queen is not very productive. I saw some larva, but no sealed brood. I located the queen and she looks healthy. She was scurrying around but never did stop to lay any eggs while I watched. 

I was thinking maybe I should pinch her and combine this hive with one of the smaller swarms I captured a few weeks ago.

Wondering what you folks thought. Wondering whats the best way to combine. Should I move the hive with the poor queen to a new location before combining or the other way around. Does it matter. Just want to minimze the fighting.

Thanks For your help.

[D Coates]

It takes a few weeks for a new hive to get going.  Did you see eggs?  If so how many?  From what you're describing the hive is building back up after a swarm.  I'd wait a few weeks to see how she's doing before making a combine decision.

[AllenF]

Ya, give her another couple of weeks.   A young girl needs her time.

[leechmann]

Thanks guys

[leechmann]

It takes a few weeks for a new hive to get going.  Did you see eggs?  If so how many?  From what you're describing the hive is building back up after a swarm.  I'd wait a few weeks to see how she's doing before making a combine decision.

Hey great call on waiting a few weeks guys. It's just been a few days, but I had to go in and look, and to my surprise, the queen is laying like a champion. Looks like I was rushing things. I want to thank you again, and so does my queen.

Thank You