[rydeon0118]

Last year my hives died from mites. This year I got nucs and installed them into the hives with drawn comb. How long do I wait to put on the second brood box? I know they say with foundation when it's 80%, but these are already drawn comb. The outer frames were left over honey frames. The rest were empty brood frames. I have a top feeder on with 1:1 and put some pollen patties in.

 

[Lowe land apiary]

When they are using and covering 80%. Not just 80% drawn.

 

[Wolfer]

I look at how much room their going to need in the near future. For instance, if the box is 80% full of bees and you have 4 or 5 frames of capped brood then your population is going to double in the next few days.
If you have 1 frame capped and 3 frames open brood then you have a couple weeks.
Does this make sense?

 

[rydeon0118]

Yeah that makes sense. Thanks for the input