From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Thu, 10 May 2001 22:43:08 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: double hives

Hi to all on Biological Beekeeping

Joel Wrote:

> I have weak hives (from packages) and no brood
> frames to donate to them. I have double-hived packages before, and they
> seemed to help each other to grow faster, so I would like to do it again.
> But I don't remember when to do it. Wait until there is sealed brood? Wait
> until there is emerging brood? Wait until a week from Thursday?

Reply:

Joel, rule of thumb says that a laying queen fully extended cannot double up
to sting in fighting (a good reason why virgins easily kill off old queens
when superceeding). Therefore, your choice, you can unite when you feel you
have ample sealed brood or wait until there is emerging brood.

It is also the same rule used to unite two hives right at main honey flow
time to get a bigger crop. But also wait until the bees are whitening the
combs and filling/capping 1/2 to 1/3 way down frame.

Many time you will find both queens unable to fight much will tolerate each
other and lay together to really fast build strength. After awhile only one
queen will be left, but it could be several weeks.

So choose and unite which best feels comfortable to you.

Dee