slow hive anything to worry about?

[GoEnviro]

I am NOT lecturing, more sympathising, but they need attention these days; too many stressors for let-alone beekeeping, I am afraid, which is too bad given my inclination (see moniker). Good be anything (seems to be a lot of Nosema around) but any colony that could be in a nuc now is not doing well.

I can't dispute what you say, though I set the hives up for best opportunity. Always feed with honey or if necessary some Ambrosia syrup - usually for bees acquired during the summer.
Sometimes however life offers additional challenges that need to be prioritised.

Have 2 prolific hives (nasty as well as prolific) both on double brood. The nastiest has 18 frames (complete ie both sides) brood, just added a super above, the other not so nasty has 12 frames. the other 8 hives have between 3 and 7 frames each - but they all had supers or a 2nd brood box on, with stores from last year remaining - so taken your advice and removed them, have added any super frames with brood to the single brood boxes.
Forgot to check the nuc - will look at that tomorrow.

Was thinking about adding brood from strong colonies to weaker but just don't know -
Be interested in any useful comments.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Always feed with honey

Why? and where do you get the honey from?

 

[GoEnviro]

Hope you don't mind me asking Finman

Just now most hives have one box brood, and some have layed 1.5 boxes.

Coming out of winter are you on 1, 1 1/2 or 2 brood boxes?
When did you first start adding boxes?

In July all my hives must have 6 langstroth boxes, if they do not have, I join week ones to such.

Did you say you only use deep boxes thru the hive or some of those 6 boxes mediums?

A strong hive has 20 frames brood in summer.

Good point, I mentioned I had 18 frames of brood, should have said 18 fully laid in various stages

 

[GoEnviro]

Why? and where do you get the honey from?

Honey is from capped stores
We leave more than sufficient for them. Don't have time to sell jars of honey just use it ourselves and for gifts. We use the bees for work and pleasure (when we have the time) didn't realise they would be so addictive though.

 

[Finman]

.
12 frames of brood is good normal amount in the hive. It depends on queens genes, how much it lays.

18 brood frames is very good. The hive will need soon 6-8 boxes.

There must be there stock selling of honey. No idea to feed back to bees.

Moving frames is ok, if the colony has 5 brood frames, but not then when it has 12.
.

 

[Finman]

Honey is from capped stores
We leave more than sufficient for them. Don't have time to sell jars of honey just use it ourselves and for gifts. We use the bees for work and pleasure (when we have the time) didn't realise they would be so addictive though.

Your hive is big. One alternative is to make a nuc or two. You rear them to 5 frame nucs and sell them. Buy mating queens into them. To sell them is easier that selling honey.

Those big hives tend to swarm. Be carefull with queen cells and make AS when you see cells. Varroa is present too in those.

 

[8ace]

Treated with nosevit last week just in case but all bees looked healthy no k wing have a lot of bias at to my expectations a single supersedure cell has appeared at the top face of the bot brood box

 

[Erichalfbee]

Strange there is only one. Have a look inside it? If the bees are serious they will make another. The thing to remember is that they may still swarm at this time of year.

 

[8ace]

There were a two other empty uncharged very small play cups empty but that was it