QE on or off and feeding

[gasman]

Sorry guys but these questions have been bugging me.

Having just placed the Nuc in their hive I am assuming they should not need feeding as they were fighting to get in and out of the entrance of the Nuc box as they had obviously been very successful foraging.

I have been advised that when the time comes to put a super on my expanding colony I should leave the QE off until they start to draw out the new foundation and then fit it. Otherwise they might be inclined to swarm. How long should I leave it off?

Michael

 

[VEG]

Until they have started to draw out a few frames

 

[gasman]

Thanks.

I assume my assumption re feeding was correct?

 

[YorkshireBees]

If there is a decent nectar flow on, no need to feed.

With regards to the QE, you can leave it out or try it first to see if they venture into the super of foundation.

On my hives I had some that didn't need the QE removing and one in particular that did, that said I left it out only 3 days and not only had they drawn comb but the Queen had started laying in a frame or two!

 

[gasman]

Ok, thanks.

 

[Poly Hive]

You need to build the nuc up to at least 8 frames of brood before thinking of a super.

PH