Is the end of february too early to try a split?

[ziffabeek]

They are flying any chance they get. We had a HUGE orientation today and lots of drones. 

Can I try a split in a week?  Should I move the queen or just take some frames?

Whaddayathink?

love,
ziffa

[Kathyp]

where have you been?   :-D

[10framer]

will you have a new queen that early?  if not, do you have drones yet?  how full of bees is the hive?

[AllenF]

I set my swarms traps out the first or second week of March every year.  Seems like we get swarms by mid to late march.  That is the earliest they split naturally.  If you are feeding and pushing them to grow, go for it.  Keeping them from freezing would be my only concern.  But I think it could be done just as long as you have drones and an insulated hive and enough bee numbers. 

[iddee]

Make a 5 or more frame split, take the queen to the new location, and go for it.

And as Kathy noted, you have been gone too long. Don't let it happen again.

[ziffabeek]

 :-D  I know!  Last year sucked!  But I'm baaaa-aaack!!!!  Got into the girls last weekend and they are soooo awesome!! Sweet as candy and calm! I was worried cuz they got a little b*%&y last fall during the dearth (or maybe cuz they had been sooo neglected last summer) and I was afraid i might need to requeen.  But life is back under control (for them and me) and I am pumped for some good bee action!

I missed you guys and you don't know how often I lurked and thought of you!

two of the hives are packed.  one is pretty small, but there are eggs and brood in all of them and they all have food.  I've been open feeding on the warm days and dropped a frame of honey into the small one that I had frozen over the winter (the honey, not the hive).    Only saw one actual queen - from the Mississippi Queens hive - but boy was she beautiful!  That's the hive I'm thinking of splitting.  Maybe I should wait til March first as the fence is going in next weekend so we have to close them all up for the workers.  Though maybe that would be good.  Ohhhh I'm so excited!! 

I also bought a queen making frame and cups and I so want to try! but I don't know what to do with the queens if i'm successful.  I really only have room for one more hive, and that's pushing it. I have to start recruiting neighbors i think!!

Oh look! I'm rambling again :D.  So good to be back in the hive! 

Kathy, lurking and working mostly!   :-\  and Iddee - Sorry sir, I'll do my best  <3  :imsorry:  :D 

love love love,
ziffa

[bud1]

ziff i sure hope you and the hippy boy can make it over this yr, you got drones and only ned one more hive just cut her in half and do a walkaway. you will be fine
we need our swarm dance and your enthusiasm

[hardwood]

Yep, sure would be nice to see y'all at Bud's this year!

We (Ian and I) just started our splits today. We got a real late start so only got 23 done but we're shooting for 70 tomorrow. Queen cells will be ripe on Sun.

It's best to wait for mature drones (not just drone brood) and a flow sure helps. We never went without drones here this year and citrus is just opening up.

Scott