Potential combine question

[Nock]

I needed to go in a double deep nuc yesterday. To remove some apivar strips. This hive has been strong and taking syrup more than most my other hives. First red flag. They were upset yesterday. Normally very calm hive. Red flag two. Both top and bottom were plugged out. No eggs no larvae not even any capped. Red flag three. So should I go ahead and combine? What if I went in both boxes and pulled center frame. And added back a empty drawn frame. Then came back in three days and check for eggs?  Or would adding open cells start laying workers?  Which I didn?t see yet. Judging by everything I saw I?m pretty sure it went queenless. All my other hives are still rearing brood. Also there were still drones in hive as well. Not a lot but I haven?t seen any in other hives. Thoughts?

[iddee]

"What if I went in both boxes and pulled center frame. And added back a empty drawn frame. Then came back in three days and check for eggs? ""

That's what I would do if I wanted the hive count. Otherwise, 10 frames of stores may help 2 or 3 hives get through the winter.