|
From: "huestis" <buzzybee@capital.net> Hi all, Regression of first colony is coming along. Six frames are 1/3 drawn out. Feeding via division board feeder and inverted jar. Combs appear to be drawn at 4.98-5.0mm. Two starter strips ripped free however bees built their own comb on top bar the same size as the adjacent strips. All in all looks good but going very slow. But then again colony wasn't the strongest just chosen because of the smaller tendency of cells drawn in old combs. Liquefying honey right now to feed to the four colonies that will be regressed tomorrow ( 1/3 of process is natural food). Question: Most colonies that will be regressed have bees in three brood chambers with bees from head to toe. Will they all fit in a single deep as they are very, very strong? If not should I shake some bees into nuc's to strengthen as they are moving to my home yard to replace losses which were very high (higher than ever before due to resistant varroa in my area and other factors). Also in general how many frames of brood can be given to weaker colonies(4-6 frames, I have never practiced donating brood without adhering bees) without over taxing the bees(many frames of brood in those to be regressed)? Temps are above 60 degrees pollen is abundant. Thanks Clay |