Setting up a package with drawn comb

[Brenda]

I'll be getting a package in April and I have some drawn comb and honey in frames from last year. What's the best way to set up the super for them to start? Comb frames in center and some honey on the ends? or should I start with a super of comb and a second super of honey on top? I'm using all medium supers.

[franktrujillo]

hello brenda, i started out with a 3 # package from r weaver last year newbee i am reduced the entrance to a few inches i use deeps i left all frames in.new set up used plastic foundation didnt like it bees seem slugish to use it so i removed half of them alternated plastic just let them build there own in between figurd it was theres to keep any how they seem to build new comb much fast with out it so im removeing all plastic from my hive u get smaller bees also. 1st year make sure candy from queen cage is at the bottom so if candy melts it dont kill queen also make sure bees can feed her place screed side away from comb. the bees will place honey on the out sides with brood in between if u have more drawn out frame that always helps
i hope that helps

[Brenda]

Thanks Frank.
If I just use the one super to start and put the drawn comb in the middle and honey frames to the sides, how soon should I add a second super, since the first super is already drawn out?

[franktrujillo]

well sorry dont know the answer to that question seen that i had noting drawn out but they fill drawn comb out in a hurry i figure keep an eye on them or if some one else know that question i would like to know as well
this year i have seen how quick on building brood amazing

[honeyman46408]

Brenda

When I install packages I remove 5 frames then set the package in side the hiive arange the remaing 5 frames with one frame of empty comb then the second one with honey this is where I put the queen between them then uncover the package and put the top on the bees will crawl out of the package to the queen the next day go back and remove the package and put 4 more frames in the hive then after the queen is out the put the 10th frame in and then when the bees have covered about 8 frames add the second box.

Hope I havent confused you to much

[berkshire bee]

Brenda, When you have about eight strong frames of bees and brood you can add the second brood box

[Brenda]

honeyman, that's the way I installed my package last year. No stress. Of course that was on empty frames, but since I lost that hive over the winter, I have full frames of honey and empty comb.
Thanks Birkshire Bee, that helps too.

[brooksbeefarm]

Well you know the saying, ask ten beekeepers a question and you will get 11 answers.I take 5 frames out place the queen box with the screen between two frames faceing the front of the hive so the nurse bees can feed and water the queen through the screen, with the candy end up. The reason is if the attendants with the queen should die they will block the escape rout from the queen if the candy end is down. I then shake the bees out into the empty part of the hive and replace 4 of the 5 frames i took out, this leaves room for the queen cage and like honeyman said you can put the 10th frame in after the queen is released.There will be some bees left in the box they came in so i just lay it in front of the hive (they will find their way in).
One thing i like to do when i get my package of bees is to keep them in the shade and spray a light mist of 1 to 1 sugar water on the cage, this helps to calm them down before you transfer them into their new home (usally in the evening). Never use a brush on the screen to feed the sugar water you can injure the bees tongues and break legs. Remember this is my way and you can listen to those other guys and do it wronge if you want to. Jack

[franktrujillo]

thanks jack for the information i just read that the sugar candy inside could melt i guess the attendents are more likely to die then the candy melting