Changing to 14 x 12

[steve's bees]

Im changing over from National standards to 14 x 12s this season. Ive converted spare hives with eeks. Im thinking of taking the Q and the frame she is on plus I have some standard frames which have drawn out comb on, I will put 1 of these with her in the 14 x 12 brood box on top of the standard national box with the queen excluder between the 2 boxes. I will leave the 2 standard frames in as this is a good method of vorroa control. I am planning on doing this around the middle to the end of March (weather permiting).
I was wondering what other peoples views are on feeding them with a 1-1 suger syrup to help them draw the new comb out, Ive read mixed views on whether they will draw comb out when on syrup. I am trying to give them a head start before the OSR is ready

steve

 

[REDWOOD]

Hi, I converted to 14x12 brood boxes last year and used the baileys method.
http://www.wimbledonbeekeepers.co.uk/Bailey Comb Change.pdf

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Bailey change

 

[oliver90owner]

You could use the 14 x 12 box as a super on the OSR, if you wanted fast-drawn frames and all dead straight, then extract and move her up at the end of the OSR

They will likely need some help to draw a lot of wax before the flow starts. Depends what is available before the OSR, but not usually much. Unless the brood is full they will likely put a lot of honey into the brood box.

RAB

 

[Hivemaker.]

Best to wait until they are strong in bee numbers,and have at least eight or nine frames of brood,and feed thin syrup to assist comb drawing,unless there is a heavy nectar flow.

 

[Rosti]

If you have old comb or suspect disease then by all means Bailey Change. If not then keep critical mass and utilise all brood and an improved chance of a harvest and Demaree (the method is well discussed on here). R

 

[steve's bees]

You could use the 14 x 12 box as a super on the OSR, if you wanted fast-drawn frames and all dead straight, then extract and move her up at the end of the OSR

They will likely need some help to draw a lot of wax before the flow starts. Depends what is available before the OSR, but not usually much. Unless the brood is full they will likely put a lot of honey into the brood box.

RAB

Thanks Rab

I don,t really want to use the 14x12 as a super because last year I had some swarm dew to lack of space in the brood box during the OSR period and there is the added factor of having to spin 14x12 frames. This is why I want to know if they will draw comb out by feeding a 1-1 sugar syrup.
If so I can give them that boost before the OSR

Thanks Steve

 

[REDWOOD]

I done a baileys comb change last year to move them into a 14x12 brood box and it was in the middle of march, I gave them a gallon of feed and after 1 week they had drawn half of the comb so on the second week I gave the another gallon of feed, returned the next week and all but 2 frames had been drawn and only half the feed was consumed, the only problem with this method is that when you remove the old brood box you will find that there will be stores in it so next time I use this method I will leave the old brood box on a few weeks longer for them to move it upstairs. Please remember my colony was very strong and march last year was blessed in good weather so bees where out most of the time.

 

[steve's bees]

I done a baileys comb change last year to move them into a 14x12 brood box and it was in the middle of march, I gave them a gallon of feed and after 1 week they had drawn half of the comb so on the second week I gave the another gallon of feed, returned the next week and all but 2 frames had been drawn and only half the feed was consumed, the only problem with this method is that when you remove the old brood box you will find that there will be stores in it so next time I use this method I will leave the old brood box on a few weeks longer for them to move it upstairs. Please remember my colony was very strong and march last year was blessed in good weather so bees where out most of the time.

Cheers Redwood so yes they will draw comb out on syrup. How many weeks did you leave the bottom brood box underneath. My thoughts would be it takes 21 day for a worker bee from egg to emerging and then I would give them another 2 or 3 weeks to move there stores up keeping a close eye on things. This should take me to the end of April by which time OSR should be in flower

Steve

 

[REDWOOD]

Hi, yes thats about it, remember when removing the old brood box you will have to shake them off the frames if you plan to put a super on don't shake them over a QE as you will have a super full of drones that will die

 

[steve's bees]

Hi, yes thats about it, remember when removing the old brood box you will have to shake them off the frames if you plan to put a super on don't shake them over a QE as you will have a super full of drones that will die

Steve