new beeks 1st day observation

[dan k 1]

Hello Everyone,
I hived my bees yesterday evening everything went OK for a 1st. timer. I did get a few stings. It's a bit chilly here today 55 and a little rain this morning. When I checked on the bees this morning. Some ( not many) are still outside trying to find a way in. mostly clinging to the under side of the screened bottom. Seems like they haven't found the entrance just yet. One of the hives has a single large cluster around the queens cage. The other hive now has a small cluster around the queen cage and a much larger cluster at the end of the hive directly above a jar feeder that I put inside. could the queen have been released this early or could it be the larger cluster has started building comb at the rear of the hive. Having the screed bottom board on an elevated hive is awesome. you can take a peak in and see what their doing any time with out disrupting the bees.
Thanks
Dan

[Cacklewack]

How did you install the bees? Did you dump 'em?

They seem to cluster around the cage even when she's been released. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Matt

[dan k 1]

yes I did dump / shake out. The bees that were not inside the hive when I closed it up have not been able to find the entrance holes(maybe 200 bees for 2 hives). Instead they are clinging to the screened bottom board.I see a few using the entrance, but, not many. I tied the queen cage to a bar in the middle of the hive. I think maybe that was wrong. Maybe I should have tied her closer to the entrance. Also its a bit chilly here today in the mid 50's. yesterday it was around 88. I think the best thing to do may be to leave them alone till tomorrow. Please advise.
Thanks Dan

[LenInNorCal]

She's not released? If not, try to release her as soon as practical. They will start combing cockeyed maybe and you don't want that...sometimes they don't eat through the candied entrance in a few hours, so check when you can.

[dan k 1]

guys, I took a quick peek inside. Now, having never done this before. What I saw looked fine to me. Before I put the bees in there hive I placed the jar feeder in the rear of the hive. That may explain the cluster above the feeder. I cant say If the queens been sprung or not. I did not spend that much time in the hive. I'll check again tomorrow. Are follower boards necessary?

Thanks Dan

[ncsteeler]

I went in mine three and a half days after install and the queen was not released. I manually popped her cork and placed the cage back in the bottom of the hive. I did find they built all over her box and glued the can feeder into the hive. It was fairly easy to get cleaned up and broke free, since is was only a few days. They had one nice bar drawn nice and straight. I would not leave a jar in the hive for many days without checking on it. I use a boardman thru a follower board and it seems so easy. I bring out a new jar and open the lid pop the old one out and new one in without disturbing the bees.

Not sure about one's that have not found the door. I have a closed bottom, but i imagine they know the queen is in there and think the screened bottom is just like a cage. You may want to manually show them the door.

As far as follower boards , it depends on the size of your hive. I closed mine off to only 9 bars for the first week. Now two weeks in I have added several extra bars in between the straight ones they already made. Also in the winter you may want to close them down to the minimum for warmth.