Is this normal or should I try and requeen?

[hondo]

Checked the hive of Carniolans and things just don't look right. Using 2 full brood chambers the bottom one is quite empty and the second one has only 2 frames full of brood and honey stored on five of the frames to the right. I've noticed the numbers on the outside declining just a bit but I didn't think it was going to be this bad until I opened her up. The medium super on top is completely full of honey which I intend to leave on. I looked for the queen but just could not find her...which I'm not good at anyway. Is this a normal amount of brood for the hive this time of year? Should I try to requeen or is it too late here in Ct? Many thanks. Hondo.

[pturley]

So I take it you didn't like the answers given the first time?

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...ate-to-requeen

In order to determine if everything is in order. All you have to do is look at a frame from the lower brood nest. If they are starting to backfill with honey, best indications are that yes, all is well. This usually starts happening around the time the fall flow begins to slow (trigger #1) and nights start to get colder (trigger #2).

How quickly they shift gears from brood rearing to backfilling are genetic trait specific to the bees (somewhat predictable, but still variable). As I noted in my previous post, Carnies are known for shutting down brood production quickly and being winter hardy in small clusters (and to add: very effiecient in terms of the amount of winter stores needed).

NOTE: A hive of Italians in a hive next to them might still be actively laying while the Carnies have already closed up shop (in the brood nest at least) for the year. Carnies typically fly later into the year and in colder weather, but in terms of brood nest, the differences can be obvious on inspection.

The reason my previous response was in the form of a question is that I would have no idea how the weather has been in your area, what your flow has been like lately or how close to "typical" behaviour your bees might demonstrate. That is the local differences that you need to determine. All we can provide is what is typical and what can be expected (generalities), which I have now done (twice).

BTW: A picture does tell a thousand words... ...still not confident in your queen or how the hive is headed going into winter. Define as many of the variable as you can; how was the flow?; is it still going?; what is the local weather like?; and post a close-up pic of a brood frame from the middle of the lower deep.
You should be able to get a more definative answer in response.

My impressions from your description and best guesses for what CT weather might be like this time of year would be that yes, all is well.

Sincerely,
Paul E. Turley

[hondo]

Paul. Thank you for your detailed reply and patience with my repeated question. I thought I was reposting on the Forum and not the 101 Forum. I've had this
hive for 5 years and have never really opened it up and taken it apart this time of year to see what was actually going on. I only have one other hive that was a very small wild swarm that I captured in June. They are much lighter in color so I would assume they are Italians. I have decided to leave things as they are
and see if the carni's will survive on their own.....I'll consider it a learning experience....but if I lose those girls it will sadden me but not my enthusiasm for
beekeeping. Again, thank you. Hondo.

[pturley]

Not a problem at all, we are ALL there at times... (worried, anxious, questions our judgement and second guessing at times... That is part of what makes life interesting!)


But now your problem is, now you have me curious to see if I was indeed correct (I am quite confident, but still...). Can you post a pic of one of the lower middle brood frames?

Sincerely,
Paul E. Turley

[hondo]

Paul. I don't have the resources to take pictures but I will save your address to let you know how things work out for the hive and if they make it through.
Hondo

[Michael Bush]

As Paul pointed out, this time of year in your latitude a Carni may well shut down brood rearing where Italians may not. The Carniolans are much more frugal and much more sensitive to weather changes and flow changes than the Italians.