Queening a swarm

[gardeningfireman]

I brought home a massive swarm yesterday. I split it into two deep hive bodies. I had an extra queen, so I put her (in a queen catcher) in the box with the queenless portion of the swarm. Now I am wondering if it was too soon to introduce her. I was afraid they would try to rejoin the other part of the swarm if I didn't, though. Thoughts?

[RayMarler]

You did fine. Did you lay the queen in the clip on the top bars and watch the swarm bees reaction to her before you put her in the hive?

[gardeningfireman]

I rubberbanded the queen catcher to a frame, then added the frames from the box with the swarm. I checked on them a few times (outside check only) and they seemed to be fine. They went through an entire quart of syrup overnight. I am working until Tuesday morning, and plan on releasing the queen then.

[OldMech]

   Most queen clips I know of will allow the bees to get through. Not allowing them to feel queenless before putting her in there may have gotten her killed.  I do not know what type of clip you used so that, along with the unpredictable nature of bees makes it difficult to say.  TBH I will be amazed if they accepted her in a cliup they could access. If they cannot get into the clip with her you have a good chance of succeeding.