Newbie. Need information about a swarm

[DocMartin]

Based in Mid Staffordshire I have just started the fascinating hobby as I approach full retirement. I have spent the winter reading and online learning.
I am about to start a 6 week practical beginner’s course but have been fortunate enough to have some practical experience checking through local hives under the supervision of their owner.
We were given a swarm that formed and settled on the 24th April. It has been installed in a 6 frame poly nuc and is being fed.
On inspection earlier today there are plenty of stores but no signs of brood at any stage and no queen. Are we best to wait to see if a mated queen returns, do we have to think of buying a queen by post to introduce or add a frame of brood in all stages. Seems a shame to let it just die out after all there hard work to dat

 

[Erichalfbee]

Hi and welcome
After nearly three weeks I’d put in a test frame

 

[DocMartin]

Thank you for the reply. I assume the “ test “ would be to see if they started making queen cells?

 

[Boston Bees]

Based in Mid Staffordshire I have just started the fascinating hobby as I approach full retirement. I have spent the winter reading and online learning.
I am about to start a 6 week practical beginner’s course but have been fortunate enough to have some practical experience checking through local hives under the supervision of their owner.
We were given a swarm that formed and settled on the 24th April. It has been installed in a 6 frame poly nuc and is being fed.
On inspection earlier today there are plenty of stores but no signs of brood at any stage and no queen. Are we best to wait to see if a mated queen returns, do we have to think of buying a queen by post to introduce or add a frame of brood in all stages. Seems a shame to let it just die out after all there hard work to dat

Definitely stop feeding then.

Is there any room for the queen to lay eggs - not all full of syrup?

Are there lots of bees?

 

[DocMartin]

Thanks. There is room to lay and plenty of bees. I shall stop feeding now they have plenty of drawn comb. So many factors to balance

 

[Erichalfbee]

What’s the weather been like since the swarm was caught?
Oh and could you put your location in your profile. Thanks

 

[DocMartin]

Nights down to 4C at times. Highs in mid teens to date but nasty easterly wind. Much better for next week.
Will try and add my location on my profile

 

[Erichalfbee]

Nights down to 4C at times. Highs in mid teens to date but nasty easterly wind. Much better for next week.
Will try and add my location on my profile

Maybe not mating weather if the swarm had a virgin Queen

 

[DocMartin]

Never thought of that. Too late to buy a mated queen to add?

 

[Boston Bees]

Never thought of that. Too late to buy a mated queen to add?

If you are in the UK, you have had at least some mating weather in the last couple of weeks. Don't worry. Do nothing and check again in a week, would be my approach. If you buy a queen there's at least a 50% chance they will end up killing her for one of a number of reasons. If this swarm fails, not the end of the world - it was free/cheap I assume - there'll be more along soon.

 

[DocMartin]

Overall I think that is the way forward. Have taken off the feed already. Thanks to all for their input. Much appreciated