Swarm numbers

[Patrick]

I was wondering if there is an “average low” number of bees that would swarm.  I was thinking that the bees must have a viable minimum to break off and form a new hive. Yes? No? 

Cheers,
Patrick

[BEEMAN]

BEEMAN'S TWO CENTS

The swarms that I have caught in the last two years have veried greatly in the number of bees. The largest was approximately fifteen pounds (about
45,000) bees, to a small swarm that was only about the size of a golf ball,
(about 100-150) bees. This small swarm did have a very nice looking queen though. The average size of the swarms was about four to six pounds or 12,000 to 18,000 bees. These estimates are using the 3,000 bees per pound estimate as I previously read on different bee forums. The swarm calls started off heavy in the beginning of March 07 but have slacked off as of this date. I need the rest. I have increased my hives from four to eighteen since the beginning of March 07 due to swarms and cut outs. All have been very gentle dark colored bees.

[JP]

I would say that average small is 2-3 lbs of bees, large average 4-6 lbs.

[Brian D. Bray]

As long as a hive is over crowded it will continue to cast of swarms, all summer long if necessary.  Each swarm gets progressively smaller.  A hive will continue to swarm until the reason for the swarming is identified and remedied.  Swarms later in the year are usually considered to small to servive the winter on their own.  I you get several small swarms the smart thing to do would be to consolidate them into one hive. 
Another practice is to recombine after swarms with the parent hive to keep it from depleting itself.