Feeding a NUC?

[JonnyPicklechin]

Hi..my post split NUC is not developing as fast as I hoped. I have the (old) queen, frame of brood, frame or stores and now a new frame with stores and honey in it. Plus 3 frames of fresh foundation.

I have not seen any white wax yet - after about 5 weeks.

I have out a rapid feeder on the one of the crown holes and blocked the other. This means I have an open top now though the crown board is sealed and have fashioned rain protection. I'm a little worried about robbing and other things given the proper roof is on.

They seem a little reluctant to feed though which indicates that is not the problem.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance

 

[mjt68]

Hi..my post split NUC is not developing as fast as I hoped. I have the (old) queen, frame of brood, frame or stores and now a new frame with stores and honey in it. Plus 3 frames of fresh foundation.

I have not seen any white wax yet - after about 5 weeks.

I have out a rapid feeder on the one of the crown holes and blocked the other. This means I have an open top now though the crown board is sealed and have fashioned rain protection. I'm a little worried about robbing and other things given the proper roof is on.

They seem a little reluctant to feed though which indicates that is not the problem.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance

Hmm does seem off.

How many bees? Are new eggs being laid? Does the queen have space (i.e. empty drawn comb) to lay? When did you add the stores and how much is left - if there's lots of stores in comb why are you feeding? What's the Varroa count like?

 

[dn170221]

I would classify the frames of stores as feeding.
Are you worried they will starve.
Is there expanding brood?
Are there enough bees to cover the brood and forage and draw comb?

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

Hmm does seem off.

How many bees? Are new eggs being laid? Does the queen have space (i.e. empty drawn comb) to lay? When did you add the stores and how much is left - if there's lots of stores in comb why are you feeding? What's the Varroa count like?

Yes...eggs being laid but not prolific. I'll have a look at the stores again but they seemed OK and given they seem disinterested in syrup probably not hungry.

Varroa is fine..no issues.

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

I would classify the frames of stores as feeding.
Are you worried they will starve.
Is there expanding brood?
Are there enough bees to cover the brood and forage and draw comb?

There is plenty of activity on the combs. Foragers are very active ...lots of in and out from the entrance.

The only strange activity I have seen is though there are not masses of bees when I take the top off the NUC they do like to "boil" out the top which Ive not seen before.