Bees not thriving

[edinburghbees]

I'm a new beekeeper who obtained a nucleus 2 months ago.
I've fed them due to the awful weather although they do seem to be flying on good days.
My problem is : On inspecting the Hive yesterday. the bees have only drawn comb on the 2 frames on either side of the original 3 frames I obtained. Is this little expansion normal? Am I just being too impatient? Or am I doing something wrong or missing something?

 

[Queens59]

It does seem a little slow - but being at the opposite end of the country I know nothing about the weather you've had - ours was bad enough. When you say you've been feeding - what and how much? Also what is the set up each nuc has? Number of frames in what size box etc?

 

[susbees]

I'm a new beekeeper who obtained a nucleus 2 months ago.
I've fed them due to the awful weather although they do seem to be flying on good days.
My problem is : On inspecting the Hive yesterday. the bees have only drawn comb on the 2 frames on either side of the original 3 frames I obtained. Is this little expansion normal? Am I just being too impatient? Or am I doing something wrong or missing something?

How much brood do you have? How many seams filled with bees? What is the varroa drop like?
I will say that selling a new beekeeper a three frame nuc is just not playing ball. Five or six frames including one good stores frame is the norm (I hope!).

It is possible you have overfed them to the extent that the queen hasn't been able to lay enough eggs to replace the old bees but hard to tell without a bit more info. Another scenario is that you've given them a whole box of foundation at once to draw and it simply has been way too cold (two frames at a time with insulation blocks either side works well under these conditions...was 6 degrees C here two nights back! Have you got a local mentor for advice?

Been very, very wet since early May here but my two frame (Commercial) splits - would be about the same size as yours - from May with local bees are all filling brood or brood and a half now and that includes mating time. Not bragging - just as comparison.

 

[edinburghbees]

I've got a brood box with 10 frames in it, including the 3 original frames.
I'm feeding with a top feeder which holds 1 litre of sugar syrup

 

[tonybloke]

my advice would be to dummy down the brood box, creating a smaller environment for the bees to keep warm.

 

[Moggs]

How much brood do you have? How many seams filled with bees? What is the varroa drop like?

All very relevant. Bees need warmth (strength in number) and energy (carbs) to build comb. Queen needs room to lay. It sounds as if these may be important factors and would perhaps point the way forward.

Disease is an important consideration too - have they been thoroughly checked out?

 

[george]

3 frames is a small nuc . Usually 5 would be the minimum sold . There just arent enough bees to really get going , especially this yr with the dire weather we have had .
As above , dummy them down to create a smaller space to keep warm .
G