Cold weather and egg production.

[its.only.money]

Hi
A week ago I checked a nuc I had overwinter and things were looking good. It was only a brief check as the forecast was to turn cold again. Found BIAS, didn't see the queen but not worried.

Today moved nuc to a brood box and again checked for queen but didn't find. A little more worried as although had a few grubs, still plenty of capped brood, but did not see any eggs. Could it be that the cold weather we had last week has reduced/stooped the queen laying? I'm worried now that I have done something stupid on last inspection.

Thanks for comments.


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[For want of a better word]

How many frames with brood and how much stores.... wood or polly brood box ?

 

[its.only.money]

How many frames with brood and how much stores.... wood or polly brood box ?

Wood brood box. 3 frames brood, a little on 4th, the rest stores.

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[iann41]

Sounds like the nuc is filling up nicely with bees so any cold snap this time of year won't make too much difference to the Queens egg laying.

Check in a weeks time.

If no eggs, you may have damaged the queen last inspection so there may be some Q cells.

If no eggs or Q cells, get a frame of eggs and brood from another hive and introduce it. Give it another week and check for Q cells.

If still no luck or eggs, think about getting yourself a Queen or unite the nuc to another hive.

Chances are the queen is still there and laying. Dummy down the brood box also.

 

[For want of a better word]

Sounds like the nuc is filling up nicely with bees so any cold snap this time of year won't make too much difference to the Queens egg laying.

Check in a weeks time.

If no eggs, you may have damaged the queen last inspection so there may be some Q cells.

If no eggs or Q cells, get a frame of eggs and brood from another hive and introduce it. Give it another week and check for Q cells.

If still no luck or eggs, think about getting yourself a Queen or unite the nuc to another hive.

Chances are the queen is still there and laying. Dummy down the brood box also.

AND....Insulate the roof... still wintery out there!!

 

[Murox]

Unless I have missed something - you have three and a half frames of brood and a couple of stores in a wooden brood box. Most definitely keep the nest tight, dummy it nice and cosy, bees tend to build up quicker in smaller spaces. As already said insulate the top and I would suggest that you feed them as well, a light syrup if it's warm enough.

 

[For want of a better word]

Unless I have missed something - you have three and a half frames of brood and a couple of stores in a wooden brood box. Most definitely keep the nest tight, dummy it nice and cosy, bees tend to build up quicker in smaller spaces. As already said insulate the top and I would suggest that you feed them as well, a light syrup if it's warm enough.

You could even install one of the Terranium heaters that our own dear little snow pixie uses... Finnman!

Yeghes da

 

[Wingy]

Ok you say you had 3 frames of brood some on 4th frame and the rest stores?
Guessing a 5 frame Nuc? You didn’t see any eggs, could this be because there was no space for the Q to lay? Now in brood box dummy down and add a frame (drawn comb if possible) into the brood nest area. All being well the Q will soon have it full

 

[Poly Hive]

It really pays to make a couple of insulated dummies. Just cut insulation to fit a brood frame and wrap it with tape to stop them chewing. Very cheap and very effective.

PH