I installed a package about April 1st here in NorCal, putting it into a deep with a mixture of drawn comb and new foundation (probably 6 drawn frames and 4 new foundation, with frames more or less alternating). I've been feeding it, though they're not taking a lot via the entrance feeder (perhaps just one jar every few days), perhaps as spring is here and flowers are blooming everywhere. Checked it today and all seems to be going well, but I noticed that they've drawn little to no new comb on the new foundation and instead are almost all gathered on the old comb.
The brood pattern looks fine on some of the old frames so the queen appears to be healthy. I presume it's just a matter of time until they get to the new frames?
My intent is to add a second brood box (again with a mixture of old comb and new foundation) once the first box is 80% built. Would it have been better to have started the package on 100% old or 100% new frames? Or does it really matter in the long run?
Thanks!
The brood pattern looks fine on some of the old frames so the queen appears to be healthy. I presume it's just a matter of time until they get to the new frames?
My intent is to add a second brood box (again with a mixture of old comb and new foundation) once the first box is 80% built. Would it have been better to have started the package on 100% old or 100% new frames? Or does it really matter in the long run?
Thanks!