When to put undrawn super frames on

[Stedic]

I don't have any drawn super frames for this year.

I gave my nuc 4 frames with honey from my mentor in December. Yesterday I noticed that the two foundationless frames I filled the box out with are being drawn, which was surprising.

Would it be worthwhile sticking an undrawn super on each hive (after The Beast 2 has passed?). The two 'big' hives look strong and are bursting with bees.

I assume they won't waste stores drawing wax, so I guess the downside is just giving them more area to heat if it gets cold again?

 

[Dodge]

I have a poly national with a big colony. Overwintered with a super on top (design of brood box intelocks with base so Nadir would involve surgery). Noticed they have placed fresh wax in places above the super onto the poly quilt.

 

[drex]

I would say to resist the temptation to peek and leave them be. It is still early and generally still cold.
Unclear as to whether the frames they have started to draw are in a nucs box or full size hive. In my experience nucs boxes do tend to come on quicker and earlier than full size hives.
I certainly would not be thinking about adding extra boxes just yet. Am overwintering six nucs, all with ekes with fondant. They are crammed with bees, but only one has started to make brace comb in the empty space in the eke

 

[Millet]

When i have had a nectar flow on in the past with not very productive mongrel bees i have been putting a super on when the bees are covering 8/9 frames in the single brood box, the bees i have now may require two brood boxes so this year is going to be a bit of juggling act.

 

[Swarm]

I don't have any drawn super frames for this year.

I gave my nuc 4 frames with honey from my mentor in December. Yesterday I noticed that the two foundationless frames I filled the box out with are being drawn, which was surprising.

Would it be worthwhile sticking an undrawn super on each hive (after The Beast 2 has passed?). The two 'big' hives look strong and are bursting with bees.

I assume they won't waste stores drawing wax, so I guess the downside is just giving them more area to heat if it gets cold again?

Forget about supering for a while, wait for a good Spring flow like Dandelion. If you put it on too soon, they will ignore any outer brood frames and will probably chimney up through the super.
Until then, when it's warmer, move undrawn or partly drawn frames between their stores and brood to get them drawn quicker.
Spring is the time to build the brood nest, a strong colony on a good flow will draw out and fill that super in a week.

 

[Poly Hive]

My rule of thumb is super on 8 frames of brood. Not bees covering 8 frames but brood on 8 frames and sometimes if the bees look a bit thin at that point I will give it another week.

If beekeeping teaches nothing else it will learn you patience.

PH