Greetings

[northyorkshire]

Hello - I'm Greg, a new member this afternoon. In my first year, having done BBKA theory and practical courses last spring. I have 4 hives and am hoping to get them all through what's left of winter and into spring. Busy with spare box cleaning and prep currently. I'm looking forward to learning from everyone here.

 

[enrico]

Welcome, 4 hives this year, 8 next year!!!! 4 is a big ask for your first year so if you feel the need to ask any questions then fire away, preferably before you do do something!!!

 

[northyorkshire]

Hi Enrico. Thank you - yes I am keen to avoid doubling up as time is limited during the summer with work.

My biggest colony was the one I learnt with at my local BBKA. I'm looking to move it up from a national to a 14x12 and wondering about doing this via a demaree this spring, then re-combining. I'm interested to know what folks here think of the feasibility of moving 2/3 frames of standard national with the existing queen into the middle of the 14x12 box as part of this, and keeping at least one or two of them down there medium term for drone comb varroa control.
I've had a busy first season, having caught a couple of swarms. One was a cast, one a belting primary. I've also done a couple of splits and a newspaper combine of the cast. This is how I've got to 4. My hives are split between 2 sites, one on an allotment and the other at the end of a friend's field.

Having taken advice from one of my tutors, two hives currently have supers which I nadired just before winter. I'm a little apprehensive about the arrangement and about when is best to pop them back up on top. All hives are alive and have plenty of fondant left - one hive is consuming more than others. Should I also be feeding pollen or is it a bit early yet?

Lot of questions I know but any answers or thought to any/all much appreciated.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hi Enrico. Thank you - yes I am keen to avoid doubling up as time is limited during the summer with work.

My biggest colony was the one I learnt with at my local BBKA. I'm looking to move it up from a national to a 14x12 and wondering about doing this via a demaree this spring, then re-combining. I'm interested to know what folks here think of the feasibility of moving 2/3 frames of standard national with the existing queen into the middle of the 14x12 box as part of this, and keeping at least one or two of them down there medium term for drone comb varroa control.
I've had a busy first season, having caught a couple of swarms. One was a cast, one a belting primary. I've also done a couple of splits and a newspaper combine of the cast. This is how I've got to 4. My hives are split between 2 sites, one on an allotment and the other at the end of a friend's field.

Having taken advice from one of my tutors, two hives currently have supers which I nadired just before winter. I'm a little apprehensive about the arrangement and about when is best to pop them back up on top. All hives are alive and have plenty of fondant left - one hive is consuming more than others. Should I also be feeding pollen or is it a bit early yet?

Lot of questions I know but any answers or thought to any/all much appreciated.

Hi and welcome. Trying to do a frame change with a Demaree is theoretically possible
You’ll need to move all the brood frames bar one up top but if you are using foundation you need to make sure there is a really good flow going so timing is key.
I’d be more inclined to do a Bailey change in a month or so.

 

[BeeAdmin]

Hello Greg, welcome and enjoy the forum.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I’d be more inclined to do a Bailey change in a month or so

either that or just get them into the jumbo box as soon as sensible, swap out any frames which have no brood in and replace with 14x12 frames, once they've settled begin to work the rest out to the sides and replace when empty.

keeping at least one or two of them down there medium term for drone comb varroa control.

I wouldn't bother drone culling has minimal impact on varroa levels and is basically a waste of time and valuable resources.

 

[Erichalfbee]

or just get them into the jumbo box as soon as sensible, swap out any frames which have no brood in and replace with 14x12 frames, once they've settled begin to work the rest out to the sides and replace when empty.

Yes that would work well. Feed them to get them drawing the wax. I would be tempted to dummy them down so that they are working on just two frames, one each side.

 

[elainemary]

Hi Enrico. Thank you - yes I am keen to avoid doubling up as time is limited during the summer with work.

My biggest colony was the one I learnt with at my local BBKA. I'm looking to move it up from a national to a 14x12 and wondering about doing this via a demaree this spring, then re-combining. I'm interested to know what folks here think of the feasibility of moving 2/3 frames of standard national with the existing queen into the middle of the 14x12 box as part of this, and keeping at least one or two of them down there medium term for drone comb varroa control.
I've had a busy first season, having caught a couple of swarms. One was a cast, one a belting primary. I've also done a couple of splits and a newspaper combine of the cast. This is how I've got to 4. My hives are split between 2 sites, one on an allotment and the other at the end of a friend's field.

Having taken advice from one of my tutors, two hives currently have supers which I nadired just before winter. I'm a little apprehensive about the arrangement and about when is best to pop them back up on top. All hives are alive and have plenty of fondant left - one hive is consuming more than others. Should I also be feeding pollen or is it a bit early yet?

Lot of questions I know but any answers or thought to any/all much appreciated.

Morning & welcome to the Forum. I move my nadired supers back up above a queen excluder the first really nice spring day usually towards end March / early April. Can be a quick operation. I only give pollen sub if the bees are flying really well but little pollen about. As my spring flow doesn’t start til mid may that means adding about 6 weeks before. Really depends when your nectar flow is. I’d guard against over stimulating when the forage isn’t there to support, best to work with nature and the bees.
Good luck with the season ahead!
Elaine

 

[pargyle]

either that or just get them into the jumbo box as soon as sensible, swap out any frames which have no brood in and replace with 14x12 frames, once they've settled begin to work the rest out to the sides and replace when empty.

I wouldn't bother drone culling has minimal impact on varroa levels and is basically a waste of time and valuable resources.

I'm just about to do this with two double brood nationals I have taken over that are going into my 14 x 12 polys .... not just yet though - still a bit too much of winter left to be doing such a major upheaval ... I'm waiting for a time when there are temperatures in double figures and a reasonably warm day to actually do the move.