A further update:
Went into my Nucs yesterday - the next beginner mistake was evident!
Payne’s: absolutely packed full of bees and stores. Eggs on about half of 2 frames. Lots of pollen coming in.
BS HB nuc: far fewer bees, absolutely packed with stores. No empty cells, no brood, queen not seen.
I’m accepting that BS nuc may not be queen right. I’ve swapped a couple of the frames of capped stores for foundation as an experiment (will likely end up combining with the other nuc at some point).
I’d be grateful for some advice on the Payne’s nuc though. I’ve effectively made them honey bound by feeding too much. I’ve therefore stopped feeding them. I see my options as below (in order of likely preference, I think). Maybe the collective hive mind could advise?
1. Stop feeding (done), leave them to their own devices over the next few weeks, they’ll use up some stores and make space for the queen to lay. Hefting regularly to check weight.
2. Swap a frame or two of capped stores for foundation (I have no drawn comb) and hope that with a bit of feeding, ongoing ivy flow and warm weather with lots of bees they draw this out.
3. Add a brood extension with some capped stores (spare frames I’ve got) and some foundation. I expect this will be the least preferred option.
Thanks for the ongoing advice, I’ve joined my local BKA but their membership runs Nov-Nov…