when to add super to brood box WBC

[SteveG]

Hi, first year so forgive if some simple questions.
2 hives. one from swarm and bought 2nd.

2nd hive sadly DLW, Hive sealed when we went to collect. my first lesson when buying bees, check hive night before collecting..asking around for nuc. plan to shake old bees out before intro nuc.

Swarm looking good, plenty of brood would say 80%++ frames covered.

question - when do I add super OR would you add 2nd brood box to strengthen hive for winter?

thanks

 

[colinc]

They need space. It depends on priorities but once they make swarm prep you will need to Artificial swarm them. If you want them into winter with stores a second brood will mean less or no feeding and hopefully reduce urge to swarm, if they fill it with honey you could still extract.
If you want a crop the super option is the way forward but if they keep increasing they may want to swarm.


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[SteveG]

ok, so forget 2nd brood box and just add super??

 

[SteveG]

sorry, so not looking for crop, wanting winter.
2nd brood box best option??

 

[colinc]

I would say so. If they fill with stores you can remove it.


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[SteveG]

 

[colinc]

I'm on nationals but all of mine have progressed to double brood and used 14-17 frames for brood this year.


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[Angularity]

I'm on nationals but all of mine have progressed to double brood and used 14-17 frames for brood this year.


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Sounds like they'd fit nicely onto 11 frames of 14x12.

 

[colinc]

Sounds like they'd fit nicely onto 11 frames of 14x12.

That is the benefit of hindsight. I made a few mistakes starting out. Bought into Nationals system that turned out to not be. Modified national from Mann Lake so now extinct. Changing over to BS National slowly, but yes should have gone 14x12.

Don't want a third format.

Live and learn.


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