Uniting to form double brood

[apb1981]

Quick newbie question.

Post split does anyone unite new with old to form double brood (using QE in between of course) then just super up on top to let both colonies work the same supers?

Interested to know if many do this and possible perils which may not occur to a new Beekeeper such as myself.

 

[Poly Hive]

It is a unite and has to be treated as such. As in newspaper or air spray. And of course one queen only.

PH

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Many of my colonies are on double brood. One queen.

 

[masterBK]

I think apb1981 is referirng to a two queen system. Ron Brown described it on pages 64 to 68 in his book "Beekeeping-a seasonal guide.

 

[enrico]

APB, I don't know anyone who runs a system like that and I am sceptical that two queens could live in harmony but......I have never tried it so.....
E

 

[apb1981]

Yeah its the 2 Queen set up i meant. Thanks, I will read Ron Brown.

 

[Ian123]

2 queens will work but generally split the boxes with supers. I’ve also had double nucs working a single super above. To be honest it’s not really worth the faff but can be interesting, I’ve got a signed copy of Ron browns I will go dig it out

 

[JonnyPicklechin]

So the basic goal is two BBs going gang busters on lay pre-flow to maximise colony strength? You then add supers as it all happens?

What could possibly go wrong?

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

 

[jeff33]

Logically you would get the same yield as if they were 2 separate colonies. As Ian said, lots of unnecessary faff making inspection a pain.

 

[Beefriendly]

Research in Canda showed that if you double the number of bees in one hive you triple your honey.

Multiqueen hives where more popular when all one had was local bees that were no near as fecund as many of the modern day strains and hybrids.
Skyscraper hive is an interesting read on the subject.