Despite the bad run with my first package (see "clustering/festooning on honey bars" thread for more details)...
I have two packages sitting in my dad's garage and I'll be installing them after work. He drove out to pick them up this morning because he's a nice guy. Packages should have been made up on Friday so will have been together three days. I hanged the queen cage in my first install and that went just fine without messing up combs. But rather than roll the dice, I'm going to direct release her.
Is the idea here to shake the bees in, then uncork her and let her walk out immediately? Or should I leave her caged for a few hours then release her?
If the answer is shake them in and let her walk, should I worry about checking to make sure they cluster well going into the night or just leave them for 3-4 days before checking on them at all? I've seen it mentioned to check and make sure they're clustered around the queen, but with a direct release I'm guessing it doesn't really matter much where/how they're clustered? Tonight the low is 40 and then we have a rash of warm days and nights only dipping down to about 50-55 range.
My plan is to put a behind-the-follower jar feeder on one hive and a baggie feeder (after I shake them out) in the other. My plan is to not refill either of these, giving them about a quart of syrup and then relying on them to forage for nectar outside of that. Good plan or should I plan on keeping them fed for a bit longer? Cherries are starting to open; apples are getting close. Quite a bit of other stuff blooming now. Most maples in full swing, willows are maybe on their way out, but some still blooming. I'm guessing there should be enough of a nectar flow going that they'll be OK?