Adding a second brood box

[Fannbee]

Newbee, first time going thru a spring with bees.  Beginners luck, lots of bees.

I want to add a second brood box to a hive; however, I have a shallow super on top of the exisiting brood box.  I left the shallow on for honey during the winter.  Queen moved up into the middle frames of the shallow and  it has brood.  Any suggestions on how to add the second brood box?

Thanks

[Understudy]

On top of the shallow.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[imabkpr]

fannbee;  reverse the shallow and the brood box. If both are packed full of bees and you want, you can put a second brood box on top of both.
When the brood emerges from the shallow you can remove it if you wish.
If it has honey in it place it above your inner cover for the bees to clean out.  If that is what you want to do.  Charlie

[Billy The Beekeeper]

Isnt there a rule that is when 6 outa 10 or 7 outa 10 frames r full its time for u to go to the next box being a brood or a super?            :-D                    :mrgreen:

[Fannbee]

Thanks, for the help.  Hopefully, I can get to it Friday.  The current temp is 71 and the bees are flying.

[Brian D. Bray]

Most use the 80% rule, when 80% of the super/brood box is full of drawn comb, covered with bees and brood and honey stored in the drawn portion add another box.  The bees will start on the new one before the older one is finished.  Keeping a step ahead of your bees this way is one of the better swarm management tools.  Bees swarm when crowded for room, if you keep giving them room at the right times they are much less likely to swarm.