According to the queen rearing calendar from www.thebeeyard.org you should check for eggs on 7/20/20. If you see larvae on 7/25/20 they are good to go. Another indicator is when you open the top the bees are quiet. If they are buzzing or roaring they don't have the potential for a queen. It's very nerve racking to wonder but you need to be patient. Since we are in the dearth and you already know that the strong hive is pressuring them why give them more chances to rob the new hive?
I can't talk about adding capped brood since I don't have experience doing that. I have 2 small splits (2 frame) that I bought queens for breeding next year and they are small. I'm erring on the side of caution and leaving them to build at their own pace. Later I may add capped brood but not now.
I can't talk about adding capped brood since I don't have experience doing that. I have 2 small splits (2 frame) that I bought queens for breeding next year and they are small. I'm erring on the side of caution and leaving them to build at their own pace. Later I may add capped brood but not now.