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Continuing this in 'beekeeping 101' since it's a beginners issue...
Installed (2) 3 lb packages 4/16. One hive now building comb like mad, may have to add another deep soon. Watched them bringing in pollen (looked like full 747s landing!), taking lots of syrup and very active. opened up the reducer to a larger size to relieve the traffic jam.
Hive #2 (sigh).... Bees were soaked early on due to a leak in the feeder. Queen was OK at first, but bees never clustered during the cold nights and I found her still in the cage belly up after 4 days. Opened the queen cage and she started moving after being in the sun for 10 minutes. I placed her upright and watched the attendants fuss over her and closed the hive. I don't believe she made it, so I ordered another queen. I estimate 2/3 of the original package is dead, finding lots of dead bees on the front porch and on the ground. Very little syrup is being taken, and little or no comb is being drawn. In fact, most of the bees left are all in little 'clusters' above the top board, in between the feeder and clinging to the bottom of the feeder. There are less than a few dozen bees between the frames and they move slowly.
Why are they in small clusters and lethargic? Is it because of no queen, the stress they went through or just too many are dead? Would it help if I 'brushed' them back down into the frames?
My plans are to introduce the new queen, hope they begin building comb and maybe steal a frame of brood and some workers from the other hive in a week or two. If that fails, perhaps I can try a walk away split over the summer.
Any advice appreciated!
Larry
Installed (2) 3 lb packages 4/16. One hive now building comb like mad, may have to add another deep soon. Watched them bringing in pollen (looked like full 747s landing!), taking lots of syrup and very active. opened up the reducer to a larger size to relieve the traffic jam.
Hive #2 (sigh).... Bees were soaked early on due to a leak in the feeder. Queen was OK at first, but bees never clustered during the cold nights and I found her still in the cage belly up after 4 days. Opened the queen cage and she started moving after being in the sun for 10 minutes. I placed her upright and watched the attendants fuss over her and closed the hive. I don't believe she made it, so I ordered another queen. I estimate 2/3 of the original package is dead, finding lots of dead bees on the front porch and on the ground. Very little syrup is being taken, and little or no comb is being drawn. In fact, most of the bees left are all in little 'clusters' above the top board, in between the feeder and clinging to the bottom of the feeder. There are less than a few dozen bees between the frames and they move slowly.
Why are they in small clusters and lethargic? Is it because of no queen, the stress they went through or just too many are dead? Would it help if I 'brushed' them back down into the frames?
My plans are to introduce the new queen, hope they begin building comb and maybe steal a frame of brood and some workers from the other hive in a week or two. If that fails, perhaps I can try a walk away split over the summer.
Any advice appreciated!
Larry