is there a rule of thumb

[Cuckmere couple]

im trying to get my head around the brood cycle and which stage of bees are most important to each stage of colony development

eg - clearly foragers needed if colony expected to yield a crop of honey

but on the verge of making splits

does a smallish nuc need more younger bees or foragers?

it needs sufficient nurse bees to cover brood and keep it warm and fed, though im told capped brood generates its own warmth

many seem to make a split and leave the nuc on original site for foragers to return to...and i get that fewer flying bees means less food...but then you add frames of stores when you take a nuc split anyway?

slightly confused if anyone can simplify...i guess the real question is how to help the nuc build as fast as poss and which type and quantity of bees help this the most

off for a coffee!

 

[drex]

My rule of thumb is that both sides of the split should have enough bees and stores to be viable. Number of frames of brood and stores depends on the intended purpose for the nuc. I generally put in two of each, and shake 3 extra frames of young bees into the nuc, which I move away. Occasionally have had to shake in more bees the next day.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

ok, thanks

very helpful

i guess it is all down to experience, which i need to build up