Any stores or comb will be a head start. As long as there is some room for them to raise brood or build comb to raise brood, they will be fine. A package might have trouble guarding more than ten frame deep box full of honey against robbers though. Two might be too much.
New Packages - Too Much Honey?
I loaded 2 new packages on the 7th. I had a 2 deep hive that was a combine that never seemed to do too well in the end of last season and died out. I had left it in place through the winter figuring robbing and wax moths wouldn't be an issue till I had my packages - especially with the brutal and extended winter we had here. So, I separated the deeps and prepped to dump my nice, heavy packages into each. But as I dismantled the frames, there was an awful lot of honey. Nearly all the frames, up and down had 50-100% honey and/or pollen, some was uncapped but didn't taste spoiled/fermented. Virtually all the frames light frames were drawn out. Will the girls feel crowded and/or not feel good about not having to draw a lot of comb right off the bat? I've always loaded packages into new frames, or a mix of new frames with a few drawn (no honey). I'm a little worried I'm honeybound of sorts. And with a division board feeder, I'm down 2 frames as it is. Any thoughts - including if I'm over-thinking this? Maples are just about to bloom here; crocuses and skunk cabbage already opened. Thanks.
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Thanks. Each package is in a single deep (w/entrance reducer) divided from the 2-deep deadout.Any stores or comb will be a head start. As long as there is some room for them to raise brood or build comb to raise brood, they will be fine. A package might have trouble guarding more than ten frame deep box full of honey against robbers though. Two might be too much.
They should do great with that big of a head start.
Just keep an eye on them to make sure the queen has enough place to lay. Remember, the package won't get any replacement workers/foragers until a good month plus after the install.
A friend did five packages last week and upon removing the package the next day, the one hived on combs with residual honey from a dead out clearly looked like a happier cluster to me. Also it had not finished it's feeder can, which the ones with no honey had. It seems nothing is better than a home cooked meal.
I'd reiterate this: keep a very close eye on them and be prepared to add a box soon. They will take off much much quicker with the drawn frame and honey than you might be ready for. I had swarm cells before I knew it last year.Just keep an eye on them to make sure the queen has enough place to lay. Remember, the package won't get any replacement workers/foragers until a good month plus after the install.
" with a division board feeder, I'm down 2 frames as it is." if you have lots of honey and the comb is drawn you do not need the feeder. put in a couple more frames instead. if the weather turns bad you may need to add more honey. keep the entrance small. how much you wish to supplement feed the first season is a big debate. I grew up next door in Littleton, my guess is that if you are starting with drawn comb and honey you will not need much syrup this summer.
Wow, your wisdom surpasses all understanding! :applause:It seems nothing is better than a home cooked meal.
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