Putting on the second super?

[Hotburn76]

I am new this year and started with two five frame deep nucs that I purchased local at the end of May.  They drew out all the comb and I put on a super.  To my surprise when I went back a week later the super was about 75% drawn out with a lot of honey already in it.  Question is, was that fast or normal? And should I go ahead and put a second super on now or wait until its all drawn?

[BeeMaster2]

I am new this year and started with two five frame deep nucs that I purchased local at the end of May.  They drew out all the comb and I put on a super.  To my surprise when I went back a week later the super was about 75% drawn out with a lot of honey already in it.  Question is, was that fast or normal? And should I go ahead and put a second super on now or wait until its all drawn?

That is a good hive you have. It is not abnormal but it is real good. If the flow is still on you can add a super. I would not do any inspections on that hive. They obviously are doing real well and the inspection would slow them down. Just lift the lid a little, add a little smoke, let it sit for 30 seconds, then remove cover and inner cover, open away from you, add the super and cover it up.
Jim

[sarahplusbees]

Are you planning to move them into full hives? Or will you keep them in the nucs?

[Steel Tiger]

Are you planning to move them into full hives? Or will you keep them in the nucs?

I'm guessing that he put the nuc frames into hives and after the bees filled out the 5 (if using ten frame boxes) undrawn frames, he added a super which is now almost full. But then, I've been known to be wrong.

As far as my own bees, I try to keep one super ahead. It takes about two supers of nectar to make one super of honey. I rather they have the space to store the nectar above the brood than have them use up space in the brood.

[Hotburn76]

Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry I left some info out.  But at the end of may I put the five frame nuc into a ten frame deep. After about two or three weeks I added another ten frame deep on top of that. It became full so then about a week and a half ago I put on the first super. So it sounds like I should put on the second super now too.  Also, do a lot of you guys put in a upper entrance for the supers?

[BeeMaster2]

Thanks for the replies guys. Sorry I left some info out.  But at the end of may I put the five frame nuc into a ten frame deep. After about two or three weeks I added another ten frame deep on top of that. It became full so then about a week and a half ago I put on the first super. So it sounds like I should put on the second super now too.  Also, do a lot of you guys put in a upper entrance for the supers?

Hot burn,
Yes it does sound like you can add a super. Before you do that, go to the back of the hive and lift up the whole hive with your finger tips just enough to feel how much it weighs. It should be quite heavy with 3 boxes. Then use your hive tool and slide it under the top super to free it on the back side with out moving it. Then pry it up just enough to feel the weight. It should bee quite heavy,  almost like it does not want to move. If you do this this on a regular basis, especially before you lift a super you will be able to compare how much it weigh compared to how much you have to press on the hive tool. This will allow you determine how full the hive is with out taking it apart.
I do not have any top entrances, though some of my screen top boards have a door that can be opened. I have one hive with 8 boxes and only a partial opening on the bottom. I probably should open that STB door.
Jim