I started beekeeping this spring with 2 packages.
Spring here in upstate NJ was cold and wet....
Hive 1 started having issues, no new brood, toward the end of May. The hive replaced the original queen. By the middle of June Hive 1 once again had brood developing. Hive one has 2 brood chambers but has only filled 8 frames in the middle of both brood chambers as of July 16. There is a very good brood pattern throughout the frames. With food sources plentiful, I was thinking the queen would be going full force and laying a large number of brood.
Hive 2 was doing very well until 2 weeks ago when the same thing as in Hive 1 started to happen, no new brood. There are queen cells present and a new queen will be in place soon if not already.
One other point is that the bees in both hives have been slow to draw comb. Currently using Perco black frames and have heard that sometimes bees will be slow to draw. Opinions on this.
I am most likely guilty of mishandling the bees in both hives but it is my first year and I will learn.
I have worked with some local beekeepers who have stated don't expect much your first year your goal is to make it through the winter.
The bees just seem to be slow and other beekeepers have mentioned how some of the package bees are very mellow this year.
Thoughts
Spring here in upstate NJ was cold and wet....
Hive 1 started having issues, no new brood, toward the end of May. The hive replaced the original queen. By the middle of June Hive 1 once again had brood developing. Hive one has 2 brood chambers but has only filled 8 frames in the middle of both brood chambers as of July 16. There is a very good brood pattern throughout the frames. With food sources plentiful, I was thinking the queen would be going full force and laying a large number of brood.
Hive 2 was doing very well until 2 weeks ago when the same thing as in Hive 1 started to happen, no new brood. There are queen cells present and a new queen will be in place soon if not already.
One other point is that the bees in both hives have been slow to draw comb. Currently using Perco black frames and have heard that sometimes bees will be slow to draw. Opinions on this.
I am most likely guilty of mishandling the bees in both hives but it is my first year and I will learn.
I have worked with some local beekeepers who have stated don't expect much your first year your goal is to make it through the winter.
The bees just seem to be slow and other beekeepers have mentioned how some of the package bees are very mellow this year.
Thoughts