- Joined
- Jul 3, 2010
- Messages
- 303
- Reaction score
- 76
- Location
- Co Antrim
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 3
As the title says I have three hives two in their third year, one bought last year. One of the hives in its third year is thriving. Queen laying well, brood and eggs present and has loads of bees - actually keeping an eye on it as although I see no queen cells they could maybe be needing more space soon. I have three supers on it and there are still frames with space for laying.
The other two hives have queens who are laying - I have seen one of the queens but not the other one but there are eggs. However they do not seem to be building up so well and I am not sure why. They were not massive after winter and they have grown but not to the same extent as the large hive. I am thinking it may just be this horrible weather affecting them but why then not the "good" hive?
I had noticed chalk brood in the younger hive but changes the brood box and it seems to have disappeared almost.
I am tempted to re-queen both or just one to see if it helps, but another part of me says do not mess about with them and give it another week or so. Also should I just add another brood box to the good hive or maybe think of splitting it.
I definitely need to re-join the Beekeeping association as I lost contact with work, covid etc. I am a member of the BBKA and read everything but sometimes you just need someone to actually talk to about bees.
The other two hives have queens who are laying - I have seen one of the queens but not the other one but there are eggs. However they do not seem to be building up so well and I am not sure why. They were not massive after winter and they have grown but not to the same extent as the large hive. I am thinking it may just be this horrible weather affecting them but why then not the "good" hive?
I had noticed chalk brood in the younger hive but changes the brood box and it seems to have disappeared almost.
I am tempted to re-queen both or just one to see if it helps, but another part of me says do not mess about with them and give it another week or so. Also should I just add another brood box to the good hive or maybe think of splitting it.
I definitely need to re-join the Beekeeping association as I lost contact with work, covid etc. I am a member of the BBKA and read everything but sometimes you just need someone to actually talk to about bees.