Using Drawn Out Comb with New Packages

[misfyredOhio]

Tomorrow I get 2 packages of bees. I have about 30 frames of drawn out comb (no honey) and frames of honey. Should I fill up 2 hives bodies for each hive? How should I arrange the frames in the box? 9 frames? 10 frames? All drawn out only? A few of each: drawn out and honey? Thanks for advice.

[thegolfpsycho]

give them one box to start with.  Let the colony grow in size before giving more room.  With too much room, they tend to chimney up the middle and neglect the outer frames.  Also, tough for a small colony to defend too much space.  Put the honey on each side.  They'll begin work close to one or the other, then expand across.  When you pull the lid, and bees en mass are on 7 to 8 frames, add another box.

[Brian D. Bray]

Brood chamber should always have the maximum number of frames for the size of box, 5,8, 10, or 12.  I also never recommend going to anything less as the more space between frames the more problems you'll encounter.  As a newbee wait on experiments with less than a standard configeration for your 3rd or 4th year.

[Michael Bush]

I'd give them what you have.  Honey is a head start.  Drawn comb is a head start.  The bees will take care of it.  If you don't give it to them the wax moths will get it.