They're here! They're here!

[beekinjax]

Went and got my first nucs last night (Thank You Jesuslives31548 you rock). well if you can call what I got nucs. I gave him new ten frame equipment with five frames removed. I got back nine fully drawn out frames BOILING with bees all frames covered. as soon as the sun hit them this morning there were thousands of bees flying (yes I watched from just after dawn until they came out). I put a box of frames with foundation on each hive today. and I put boardman feeders on with quart jars filled with 1to1. By 3:00pm the jars where empty. so I filled them up again. now at 6:00pm the feeders are only 3/4 full. so the question (you knew at least one was coming) is how much is too much feed? I live in north Florida and spring has sprung big time. lots of blooms every where and watched a ton of pollen come into the hives all day long. My concern is that they will plug the brood nest with syrup and pollen before they can draw out the new boxes. what do Ya'll think?

[Ravenseye]

Well, the trick is to watch the brood. Lot's of brood will keep your stores moving. Also, lots of pulled wax. I'm betting that you'll see both brood and wax in good quantities and you won't plug the broodbox. BUT...keep your eyes open and make sure the queen looks to be laying well.

[alpha6]

Once there is a good flow on they will stop taking the 1:1 or cut way back. Great to see you enjoying your bees already. Life will never be the same. :cool:

[drobbins]

as Ravenseye says, monitoring them is key
once you gain more experience you will want to leave them alone to let them do their thing, but with your first bees, don't be afraid to peak in once a week and see what they're up to
you'll see it if they a plugging things up
take pics if you have a camera and post them:)

Dave

[Maine_Beekeeper]

Congratulations! Happy Spring!
There's no such thing as too much feed until they've drawn out the wax. Just keep things open by rotating drawn frames towards the outside one frame at a time until they've drawn it all.
When nectar starts coming in heavily they will mostly ignore your feed anyway. Bees like to forage!

Best,
-Erin