[Katiewilliams10]

I am looking for some guidence on a newly established hive. This package was installed on April 27th. When I got them back home I realized the bees were not clustered around the queen. I figured she was dead. I installed them anyways and she turned out to bee ok. As time has gone on, the hive has not grown in size and yesterday when I took a close look I noticed zero brood and what looked to be 6 queens? Not sure if that is possible. I am pretty new at this and though I would turn to you for for help.
Thanks in advance.
Katie

 

[Robbin]

I am looking for some guidence on a newly established hive. This package was installed on April 27th. When I got them back home I realized the bees were not clustered around the queen. I figured she was dead. I installed them anyways and she turned out to bee ok. As time has gone on, the hive has not grown in size and yesterday when I took a close look I noticed zero brood and what looked to be 6 queens? Not sure if that is possible. I am pretty new at this and though I would turn to you for for help.
Thanks in advance.
Katie

I've seen double queens before, never heard of more than that. I would guess you are mistaking large drones as queens? Got any pictures? You have a problem of some kind, after 6 weeks you should have lots of capped brood, larva and eggs. I'm guessing you don't have a queen at all? Do you have some drawn comb for her to lay in, or have they filled it all with honey? I would suggest uploading some pictures if you can get them.
Good Luck

 

[jwcarlson]

I am looking for some guidence on a newly established hive. This package was installed on April 27th. When I got them back home I realized the bees were not clustered around the queen. I figured she was dead. I installed them anyways and she turned out to bee ok. As time has gone on, the hive has not grown in size and yesterday when I took a close look I noticed zero brood and what looked to be 6 queens? Not sure if that is possible. I am pretty new at this and though I would turn to you for for help.
Thanks in advance.
Katie

Six loose queens or six queen cells?

 

[Michael Bush]

"six queens" would most likely be six drones. Six queen cells, well, that's not out of the realm of possibility...

 

[CtyAcres]

Katie- Those probably are drones you are seeing, which might mean a laying worker. If you have another hive, take a frame
of brood from it and place it in the hive. You will find out in a few days if its queenless, they'll make a Q cell .