Second super position

[ShinySideUp]

In the last two summers when I've added a super I have have just put it on top of the full one. It seems to have worked ok but I wonder what would happen if I should put the new, empty one, under the filled one?

 

[Poly Hive]

Some say it fills quicker but I find it makes no odds.

PH

 

[jeff33]

I mix them up. Full frames go in the 2nd super and I replace with empty frames in the 1st one.

 

[Ian123]

I like to put them under the first, also figure its more space closer to center of colony. But that could just be me!!

 

[Poly Hive]

There was some research done some years ago that pointed to empty space over the brood nest stimulating more gathering. Well ok that's fine so that's what to do eh?

Well not for me as that meant lifting some 50 to a 100 supers to see what progress was being made on the bottom one. No ta. So I put empties on top so when I lift the CB all is revealed.

KISS

PH

 

[masterBK]

Putting empty super next to broodchamber reduces congestion and lowers risk of swarm preps. Also best place to put a super of foundation to get it drawn.
Polyhive: If you are doing regular checks for queen cells you have to lift off the supers anyway to get ot broodchamber .

 

[ShinySideUp]

There was some research done some years ago that pointed to empty space over the brood nest stimulating more gathering. Well ok that's fine so that's what to do eh?

Well not for me as that meant lifting some 50 to a 100 supers to see what progress was being made on the bottom one. No ta. So I put empties on top so when I lift the CB all is revealed.

KISS

PH

Yes, that makes a lot of sense.

 

[Michael Palmer]

I think it depends on the situation. Time of year, flow conditions, etc. If the colony is filling suers well, and you aren't late so the bees are plugging out, then on top is fine. If you're late and there is burr comb between supers dripping with honey, and the flow is ongoing, under supering is appropriate. Here, in this situation, I would add one under and one over. If the same is happening, but the flow is slow or ending, under-supering will often result in brood in that super, so top supering would be better. If they need it they'll use it.

Never say it's always one way or the other.

 

[For want of a better word]

I think it depends on the situation. Time of year, flow conditions, etc. If the colony is filling suers well, and you aren't late so the bees are plugging out, then on top is fine. If you're late and there is burr comb between supers dripping with honey, and the flow is ongoing, under supering is appropriate. Here, in this situation, I would add one under and one over. If the same is happening, but the flow is slow or ending, under-supering will often result in brood in that super, so top supering would be better. If they need it they'll use it.

Never say it's always one way or the other.

I would say either or!

Also we no longer use queen excluders on the OSB colonies.... but then we only keep Cornish Amm in them!!

Chons da

 

[Beefriendly]

I like to put them under the first, also figure its more space closer to center of colony. But that could just be me!!

My preferred state, but depends on circumstances.
I do a lot of cut comb and figure under means less bees traipsing their dirty feet over any already any capped comb as they take nectar further upstairs to an empty super above.
But when I'm in rush then on top they go...

I also find they draw comb better if put directly above qx and brood nest, presumably because it's warmer or closer to the wax making bees.

 

[Cuckmere couple]

directly above for me to help draw/repair

i also move incomplete super frames down and store all the fully capped up to spin at same time

last year though, i should have spun and returned to super for re-filling, rather than adding new boxes and spinning all at end of year...though i have now got a nice stack of drawn super comb

 

[Murox]

Drawn comb is beekeepers gold.

 

[Poly Hive]

It's surprising how fast they draw out the CC foundation.

PH

 

[Popparand]

Drawn comb is beekeepers gold.

Meaning, please?

 

[Beefriendly]

It's surprising how fast they draw out the CC foundation.

PH

It can be surprising how fast they draw any foundation....when the conditions are right. I've had brood frames drawn and laid in, in less than 48 hours.

 

[Amari]

Drawn super comb left over from last season = very little repair work needed before incoming nectar can be stored.
Super foundation = much nectar needed as energy to draw out the comb = less nectar left over for storage.
[Drawn brood comb even more valuable - queen can start laying immediately]

 

[Eyeman]

Drawn super comb left over from last season = very little repair work needed before incoming nectar can be stored.
Super foundation = much nectar needed as energy to draw out the comb = less nectar left over for storage.
[Drawn brood comb even more valuable - queen can start laying immediately]

Bees will need time to clean and prepare those drawn comb cells before she will start laying. Agree it will be much faster that waiting for them to draw out foundation.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

I don't inspect the brood chamber that often so putting supers of drawn comb on top works for me as a general rule. As the comb fills, another super goes on without any lifting. Occasionally you get a colony that moves honey upwards so if you put an empty super on top, the bees will empty the lower-most one so you THINK you have loads of honey and then you realize later that you don't!