Merging hives in Spring?

[Firefly]

Yes for merging colonies, but for boosting them with a frame or two of brood and adhering bees they can simply be gathered and distributed without worrying too much about fighting in my experience, possibly because I keep the surplus bees and brood in an open box while working so flying bees can return to their parent colony.

Useful knowledge - thank you

 

[fred scuttle]

Very useful indeed - Lots to think about now - thanks to everyone for all the replies, I'm much better informed about what needs to happen now so much appreciated indeed!