Brood box in a mess.

[carrodale]

Hi All, I'm hoping that I'm doing something sensible and i would just like the tap on the shoulder so say that I'm not missing a trick.

right i have acquired a hive in a right state,
- unmarked queen of indefinite age (supposedly 8 yrs old (lol)
- wonky drawn comb (the hive has obviously not been stood level) with broken wires all over!
- 7 really old frames (2 that are more or less all drone comb)
* as in totaly black top bars that covered in propalis and about rounded with it
- 6 frames of brood 1 of stores (1 and 5 v.limited brood and typical stores over all brood combs)

on the positive
-10 day varroa drop of 76 mites
- queen laying (somehow) in a really good pattern and strongly
- no other diseases obvious

first inspection
- drone combs to outside of brood nest area
- filled national box with fresh foundation (+4 frames)
- good pattern etc

right, i didn't want to cause a break in the brood so i have'nt done a shook swarm


Second inspection
- 3/4 of new frames drawn out
- limited brood space as lots of nectar and pollen been brought in.
- brood on 8 frames


Currently planing on sticking another brood box on the hive, letting them get that drawn out (were in a OSR flow). then reversing the boxes finding HMQ and placing her in the new deep full of drawn comb, putting a queen excluder on,putting the old brood box with manky comb on top and letting the brood hatch without getting re laid by the queen. then spinning out the stores.

once i have that sorted i will sort the queen out but as she is laying a consistent patten with lots of worker i will leave her for now.



am i on the right tracks or would people approach this differently


p.s. i have 2 more hives on another site that are mine and doing well


Thanks

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

sounds OK although I would just put the new BB on top, leave them draw it then find the queen put her in the new box leave old box on the bottom put QX between top (new) box and bottom, leave all the brood emerge then chuck all that mess on the bonfire. if the old BB is still serviceable clean it up and keep it as a spare.
and don't be gulled by all the talk of bees getting their feet dirty on the way up to the new BB - it's only for a while - only thing is they will start storing pollen there but IMHO ther sooner you get shot of all those old frames the better

 

[pargyle]

once i have that sorted i will sort the queen out but as she is laying a consistent patten with lots of worker i will leave her for now.


Thanks

I very much doubt that a queen doing this well is 8 years old but, even if she is, whilst she is laying a good consistent pattern I would keep her going ... valuable stock to breed from if they have been this neglected and survived with a low varroa count... Once she has a few more frames of brood I'd look at raising another queen from her as long as they are manageable.