Hive from swarm

[DrumBee]

Hi, my first post on this forum.

I've been keeping bees since last June, my nuc colony had built up really well and I was hoping for some honey later this year.

However the colony swarmed last week, luckily I had a new hive ready to go and I managed to collect the swarm.

I now have two colonies of bees who I assume will have to build up over the summer, is it possible I'll get honey in August or will it be another year?

 

[Angry_Mob]

Welcome to the forum.

Good chance to get honey, all being well.

 

[Murox]

Hello and welcome - Im waving at you from across the water.

I am guessing you have a lot of foundation that has yet to drawn out - that will take a lot of energy - so a possible honey crop will depend upon the availability of forage (nectar/pollen) in your local area - but yes a chance of some honey "all being well".

 

[DrumBee]

Thanks for the replies, you're right in that the foundation in the new hive is new and will need built out, I suppose its fingers crossed for the weather to hold up.

Its a shame because it was a great spring so far so I had high hopes, having said that I learned quite a bit last week about capturing a swarm, it definitely wasn't text book and took several attempts but I was pretty chuffed when I finally got them in.

 

[Erichalfbee]

You can see the advantages of having 2 colonies
You could bring them both on for next year or reunite before the summer flow
Some of my splits will be back together soon.

 

[Angry_Mob]

Alternatively you could use one hive to boost the other, nab frames of brood from one and place in the other hive every couple of weeks. That would increase your chances and leave you will still have the two colonies.

 

[enrico]

If you get a good flow on you will be surprised how quickly they build up, but if the flow is poor then at least take a couple of frames out to taste it!!!!! Don't forget to keep one jar from every year... I wish I had... Compare the colours and textures. I would have had 40 different jars by now!

E

 

[StephenT]

Don't forget to keep one jar from every year... I wish I had... Compare the colours and textures. I would have had 40 different jars by now!

E

Thank you for saying that. I have one jar left from what was a swarm I was given last year (my first year beekeeping) and I’ll keep it and hopefully add to the collection over the years.