I'd sell the 2 extra queens
Thank you all for your input. I appreciate your comments and will take all into consideration.
You want to immediately split your packages with those 2 extra queens? I never heard of this. Most people have issues with packages superseding the queen. Packages aren't even big enough to split, are they?On April 18th, I will be receiving two 3# packages and two extra queens.
I'll be starting them on medium deeps with drawn comb.
They will have combs with honey and some pollen (from deadouts).
Do you think I should divide the bees 50/50 and install a queen in each half? Making four swarms of equal strength,
or
Make one dominant package and start the second in a nuke with a smaller amount of bees?
(I have a couple of 6 5/8 4 frame nukes with drawn comb.)
I'm kicking about both ideas, and wonder what feedback the forum might offer.
Randy Oliver in Scientific Beekeeping did a math project on the increase of bees from swarm size to 40 or 60,000, based on a consistent queen laying rate.
The buildup time from start for 5000 bees (1.5#) and 10,000 (3#) was within a week of being the same.
Also considering stacking the colonies one over the other with a snelgrove board between them ...
Lots of thoughts.
Your comments will be appreciated.
Bob from Holyoke, MA