When to add second brood box with HSC

Started by Indigo Bee, April 20, 2016, 06:10:50 PM

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Indigo Bee

I am brand new and started two hives from packages. I wanted to use natural cell size so I put one package in small cell plastic foundation (Pf-120) and the other in HSC. Im using all mediums. My question is how do I know when to add a second medium on the hsc hive? I was thinking that I should wait at least 3 weeks after I see eggs since the package will be dying off until then. A lot of honey is being stored and I see a lot of pollen coming in. Thanx, Tim
P.S. The hive is 9 frame 1 1/4 wide frames in an 8 frame box. All the frames are covered with bees.

Michael Bush

A frame being used is what you want to count.  If 8 out of 10 (or 7 out of 8 or so) are being used, then add another box.
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

KeyLargoBees

and for the record.....thats "both sides" being used pretty extensively.....a small patch of drawn comb along the top with the rest of the frame empty doesn't count ;-)
Jeff Wingate

Changes in Latitudes...Changes in Attitudes....are Florida Keys bees more laid back than the rest of the country...only time will tell!!!
[email protected] https://www.facebook.com/piratehatapiary

Indigo Bee

Thank you both. I was worried that the bees wouldn't like the HSC, but they are putting nectar and pollen in both sides of every frame. No eggs yet, but I saw the queen when she fell on the ground in front of the hive when I removed the includer on day 4. Talk about panic! I picked her up and she walked right into the hive entrance. Tomorrow is day 8 and I will check again for eggs. Thank you Michael for your book. Im using it as my guide.

Michael Bush

The queen, in my experience, takes about two weeks to make up her mind to use the HSC.
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

Indigo Bee

Update. I checked my hives on day 8 and found eggs and open brood on the PF-120 frame hive and on the HSC frame hive (About 1 med frame in each). The HSC had a lot more pollen and nectar stores. I'm thinking this is because they didn't need to draw comb. My son pointed out both queens immediately. I am very pleased that the HSC did not seem to be an issue. Actually it looks like it was a boost.  Maybe because of the flow coming in. I noticed a lot of bees on the Pin Oak trees as they are in bloom here. What a great learning time for my son and I. Im hooked for life.