Does this sound like a good plan?

[lilybetbee]

At the moment I have:

H1: Q+, fine
H2: Split from H1, no laying Q, (advice asked here http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25332)
H3: Split from H1, Q+, fine
H4: Q+, some chalkbrood issues, intending to replace in spring

What I think I shall do:
I have a new queen ordered for next week for H2 but now think she may be better used to replace the Q in H4, so would make up a nuc to introduce her then re-unite.

H2, move away on a nice day so returning foragers return to an empty space between H1 and H3 who will let them in as the have something to offer.

Does this sound sensible/ feasible?

For the nuc, I shall only have space for 4 frames. I have a fat stores frame put to one side for using in a nuc, I was thinking of putting one empty (drawn) frame and 2 of bias, is this the right balance?

This will hopefully give me 3 strong hives for going into winter. Lots of HB coming in here.

 

[Davelin]

If you are not going to requeen H2, why not put on top of H1 or H3 and use newspaper to combine?

 

[lilybetbee]

I am concerned about a queen still being present in H2, and affecting the other colony.

 

[enrico]

In your previous post I said ... Have patience... You have had with no results, now you need to find if there is a queen in there or not, test frame of eggs from one of your other hives, scrape down to the foundation a 2 inch by 2 inch area below some good eggs, if they start queen cells within a few days you can bet you have no queen so combining would be the way I would go. If you get no queen cells then your plan sounds ok to me
E

 

[Excession]

Combine 2 and 4?

A stronger colony is better at regulating the nest and could improve conditions.