Recently Hived Swarm with half of the bees gone

[BuzzinBerries]

I hived a small 2# swarm on Monday late evening and was running short on equipment so I didn't have an inner cover then. I got one today and ran out to put it on real quick. When I took the telescoping cover off I was shocked to only see bees on the top bars of 2 frames and none anywhere else. I thought for sure I had a lot more than that. Is it possible that the queen didn't like her new home and left but that only half of the workers went with her? I placed this hive right next to another hive that was also a small 3# swarm capture from Saturday. Do you think the missing bees drifted to the other hive? I didn't open the other hive to look. I know I am supposed to give them 2 weeks to work before I do a real inspection but with this information should I get in both of the swarm hives sooner? My nucs aren't causing me any problems or confusion.....just these dang swarms! Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[brooksbeefarm]

If the queen left all the bees would go with her. Did you pull a frame out and look to see how many bees were on it? maybe they were out working. Good luck. Jack

[BuzzinBerries]

I neglected to mention that it has been raining here all day. So all of the girls should've been home and I didn't pull any frames out because of the weather. I just looked down in there and saw them on the two frames.

[jeff123fish]

was it new foundation sometimes when swarms are drawing out new comb the will be two or three rows of bees deep

[BuzzinBerries]

Yes, brand new foundation. I hope you are right about them being three rows deep. That would explain why it looked like a lot less bees. Thanks for the response. It was a bit chilly today - down to about 58-60 degrees and windy. Maybe they were just huddled up. Should I do an inspection on the first warm sunny day or wait until the two week recommended time to inspect?

[nc checkers]

I had the same thing happen to me a couple weeks back. My thoughts were that the swarm had more than 1 queen and one left with half my bees.

Another swarm left after 3 days. They built some swarm cells on the frame of brood I had given them but didnt draw out any of the foundation. All left except a small frame of bees, maybe half pound or less.

[Adamd]

BuzzinBerries,
I see no problem in checking when the weather is good. A decent swarm with a laying queen will draw foundation and start to lay within a few days. A virgin will take longer of course. If it's a virgin and she still needs to mate, don't inspect during the middle of the day as she may be out and get confused if you're there.