[sfamous]

Good morning: My first package (3lb.w/queen), installed on the 4th of April, has only drawn out five-six frames of the ten in my first hive body. They seem to be working from the center and toward one of the ends, foundation-wise....a fellow beekeeper told me that, by this point in the season, I should add the second hive body on top of the first, or visa-versa, regardless if they have finished drawing out all the comb on the ten frames...I asked why and he said to give the bees a greater sense of urgency, and they will start working harder to draw comb.....does this sound like good advice or not....and why??


Can anyone speak to both camps on this issue?

Thanks!

 

[concrete-bees]

i would say to wait until at least 8 are drawn

also every hive and every season is different - so to say "by this time of year ...." is kinda off

if you add them before they draw out the frames they will never draw them out
what i would do at this point is move some outer frames in and move frames that are all honey/syrup to the outter edge - this makes them draw out the undrawn frames and gives the queen more space to lay eggs - once they fill out about 7-8 frames for brood give the next box -

also they will only move up if they have the poputation to do so --- they will not let the queen lay eggs where there is not enough bees to keep brood warn and feed them - after about 4-5 weeks on a package install

 

[honeybeekeeper]

Yes just what concrete mentioned is what i would do or they will not draw out the frames in the first box if you add the second box now! Good Luck!

 

[Walliebee]

No need for concern; they have plenty of time to draw comb. Adding undrawn frames/supers does nothing for a 'greater sense of urgency'. They march to the beat of their own drummer, and mother nature.

They will keep drawing comb as long as they have a nectar flow... natural or sugar water. They will expand when they have the numbers to do so. Your hive is still a baby. Give them some time. They will get it done.

When 8 of 10 are drawn is the general rule. You can move some around, but never split the brood nest frames.

They tend to build up faster with less empty space when they are young vs. more.

 

[nkhd1]

I have been told to move an empty frame from the outside to the center to speed up there lateral movement.
Does this work?

 

[sfamous]

OK, CBz advice seems to make sense to me....I will try and move undrawn frames nearer the center, WITHOUT splitting up the brood frame cluster....hopefully that will work....I am feeding 1:1 syrup continuously, along with Megabee pollen patties....I am hopeful they will start getting more done after the first round of brood hatches soon....

 

[StevenG]

sfamous, seems like we are at least a week behind down here, due to the weather. You should take that into consideration. Also if it has been cool most of April up there, they have to stay closer to the brood to keep it warm, and from getting chilled. I'll wager as weather warms up, and brood nest loosens up, your package will explode with bees, and they'll really get to work.
Regards,
Steven

 

[sfamous]

weather's been crazy here over April...it's been more like March should be...warm spells....cold spells....blustery some days, really nice some days.
I appreciate the words of reassurance/help from all on the forum...it means a great deal to know he/she has the support of good beeks to prop him/her up. I am also finding it much easier to be more confident about interpreting what I'm seeing on the frames....it makes me feel empowered to see a frame and KNOW whether it's right or not...it takes practice and lots of help to get that.

Scott