Q- Nucleus has pollen coming in

[jd101k2000]

I have a nucleus into which I put a sealed queen cell 9 days ago. By my calculations it should have hatched yesterday, possibly the day before. The queen from the 'mother' colony was definitely not in there, as she is definitely in another hive.

Today I saw workers bringing in pollen.

There can be no unsealed brood, so why would they be bringing in pollen?

(I'm assuming that they are not like me at an auction where I see something and bring it home because it might be useful in the future.)

 

[mbc]

There can be no unsealed brood, so why would they be bringing in pollen?

(I'm assuming that they are not like me at an auction where I see something and bring it home because it might be useful in the future.)

Wrong assumption, they're bringing in pollen because its essential for their future survival.

 

[leonotron]

I recently made up a two nucs and they were both bringing in pollen without any unsealed brood.

 

[jd101k2000]

Many thanks for the replies.

I've checked all my Q- nuclei... they are ALL bringing in pollen today.

I understand that this is important for their FUTURE survival, but was it was my understanding that pollen coming in was a sign of being Q+. (Not a reliable sign, but a sign.)

Will file it in the back of my brain for when it happens again. Another new experience. I suppose that is what turns a newbie into a bee keeper (eventually).

 

[ijcooper]

They do have a queen, don't they? A day or so ago. And a reasonable expectation she'll be laying pretty soon.

 

[jd101k2000]

Must admit that I thought she had to be laying for pollen to come in... I was obviously mistaken.

 

[enrico]

When bees get nectar, pollen rubs off on them, they often collect it at the same time as it is put on them by the flower, however other times they need pollen for the grubs so they go out to collect it without bothering about the nectar..... In my experience anyway!
E

 

[YorkshireBees]

At times when pollen is plentiful bees will collect and store pollen as not even the bees know when the weather may turn bad or pollen is not available for a length of time. June gap for example.

Although pollen going into a hive is a nice thing to see it cannot be relied upon as any kind of Q+ / Q- sign.

 

[jd101k2000]

Thanks!