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I'm a new beek and have two strong hives started with nucs in May. The third hive was a working colony (one 10 frame deep) or it was supposed to be. That third hive is struggling compared to the other two hives.
I added a second deep box to all three hives in early June. The two strong hives are drawing comb in the second deeps, but that third hive had done nothing in the second deep two weeks ago when I looked. So I pulled three frames of spotty brood and moved them up to the top deep and replaced those frames with new foundation in the bottom deep. Checked again today and still nothing happening up top and nothing going on the new foundation in the bottom. Lots of bees in the hive yet but only seeing a few uncapped brood mixed in with what looks like honey & pollen being back filled in.
We looked hard for a queen today, but saw nothing. Being a new beek, I don't have the skill to spot a queen unless somebody points it out to me. I don't see any pattern of brood like the other hives...it looks like just a mish-mash of pollen, honey, scattered capped & uncapped brood. The hive looks disorganized and a real mess to me. Any suggestions or comments? How long does it take to be able to recognize a queen easily? Getting frustrated with #3 hive.
I added a second deep box to all three hives in early June. The two strong hives are drawing comb in the second deeps, but that third hive had done nothing in the second deep two weeks ago when I looked. So I pulled three frames of spotty brood and moved them up to the top deep and replaced those frames with new foundation in the bottom deep. Checked again today and still nothing happening up top and nothing going on the new foundation in the bottom. Lots of bees in the hive yet but only seeing a few uncapped brood mixed in with what looks like honey & pollen being back filled in.
We looked hard for a queen today, but saw nothing. Being a new beek, I don't have the skill to spot a queen unless somebody points it out to me. I don't see any pattern of brood like the other hives...it looks like just a mish-mash of pollen, honey, scattered capped & uncapped brood. The hive looks disorganized and a real mess to me. Any suggestions or comments? How long does it take to be able to recognize a queen easily? Getting frustrated with #3 hive.