advice

[stenibee]

can someone tell me how long it takes for a prime swarm queen to start laying again. In brood box with 3 drawn frames and some foundation

 

[Erichalfbee]

Often straight away, but usually within a day or so.
I have collected swarms that have eggs in comb drawn from the top of the cardboard box.

 

[stenibee]

thanks. had it since thurs. bringing in stores but no sign of eggs.

 

[Erichalfbee]

You're sure it was a prime?

 

[Anduril]

Often straight away, but usually within a day or so.
I have collected swarms that have eggs in comb drawn from the top of the cardboard box.

Collected a prime swarm on Saturday eggs in there today.

 

[stenibee]

yes sure it was. very large did not fit in poly nuc. will keep eye on it

 

[Anduril]

Was it a swarm you collected or was it a swarm going into a bait hive?

 

[Erichalfbee]

Size is no indication. You can have a large cast, especially if the hive it came from was very strong to start with.
Let us know how it goes.

 

[Swinton apiaries]

Size is no indication. You can have a large cast, especially if the hive it came from was very strong to start with.
Let us know how it goes.

not all swarms come from a conventional bee hive could of come out of a huge colony from a chimney or roof etc I have seen several big swarm from a chimney in one season

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

yes sure it was. very large did not fit in poly nuc. will keep eye on it

as I keep telling SWMBO size has got nothing to do with it was it definitely a prime swarm (ie, are you sure the queen in the swarm was mated?!)

 

[Erichalfbee]

The definition of a Prime is one headed by a mated queen.
A cast is headed by a virgin. Perhaps "afterswarm" might be a better name.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Size is no indication. You can have a large cast, especially if the hive it came from was very strong to start with.

Or often even bigger if from a large hive that has swarmed with a virgin queen, after losing their clipped queen on a previous attempt at swarming.