Thanks Fred Bee,
You are right, they do need to draw comb. The first hive has the second deep over half full and I removed two outside frames to install the gallon syrup feeder. I topped it off Saturday and by Sunday noon they had consumed over half of it. If they keep this up the 2nd deep will be full by Memorial day. Wouldn't that be a good time to pull the feeder and add the first honey super? This entire cycle has happened so fast I am having difficulty understanding. The term "busy bee" takes on a whole new meaning.
My package for hive two will arrive late this week and I understand they may not have time to progress as far as the first package so I am expecting to pour the syrup to them as well and watch them build away for wintertime stores.
The third hive is strategically placed to hopefully capture a swarm from my neighbor's house. Bees are embedded and they swarm almost every year.
They are too high (for me) for a tear out or cut out and the bees don't harm anything...I just told him not to poison or kill the bees, that would be big trouble.
Words of wisdom are always welcome.
Clark