Yikes...is my nuc nuked???

[Tremyfro]

Here we go
Nuc put in nuc box on 14/7. With 1 sealed QC and several elongated QC ...not sealed. Plus 1 frame of brood and 1 frame of brood plus stores. 3 frames of indrawn foundation.
15/7 added some nurse bees on advice. Mood...quiet
22/7 added another frame of bees plus bias plus stores including pollen. 2 big QC on face of comb and at least 2 more sealed QC. Mood quiet.
1/8 QC s torn down from the sides. No Q seen. No eggs seen. Lots of bees seen plus stores. Bees out foraging. Added test frame with eggs. Mood quiet.
4/8 had to move nuc box 2 feet back as robbing going on between bigger hives.
7/8 No QC seen. No Q seen. No eggs seen. Larvae in test frame seen in various sizes. Some capped brood. Plenty of bees and stores. Mood tetchy.
Thoughts everyone?
Do I assume a Q is in there and leave it alone for a few more weeks, since there are no QC on the test frame? Or do I buy a Q for them since they have ignored the test frame? No eggs to see...even using the magnifier. Is it still too early given the time frame above? Do you think we wrecked the chances of a Q because we had to move the nuc...even tho she should have been in the hive if present. All the foragers found the nuc easily as it was still in the same flight line.

 

[REDWOOD]

It all depends when the QC was capped, if it was capped on the 15th then it is a little over 3 weeks, I would go a little longer before worrying

 

[Tremyfro]

Ok....one was already sealed when started the nuc and the others were sealed during the next 7 days.
I will leave it a bit longer then. If after another week do you advise adding another frame of eggs? If there are no eggs laid?

 

[REDWOOD]

Ok....one was already sealed when started the nuc and the others were sealed during the next 7 days.
I will leave it a bit longer then. If after another week do you advise adding another frame of eggs? If there are no eggs laid?

Sounds good to me

 

[Tremyfro]

Okey dokey. So you haven't been removed from here? Goody

 

[REDWOOD]

I don't think I have offended anyone, I always try to be on my best behaviour although I do mess about, the big hand of Pete hasn't come down on me...... yet

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Just a thought - I wouldn't have left all those QC's in the nuc, no harm done this time (it seems) but I would, if given the choice go for one open QC. Going by the evidence i would guess the first sealed QC emerged and put paid to the rest. Checking my records now it seems that this year - apart from a few right slappers who went out and got mated within days of emerging mine were laying between 4 and 6 weeks of emergence.

No QC's on the test frame doesn't really signify anything for certain - they could have a queen, they could not. the less you mess about with a hive with a VQ in the better - leave well alone for another fortnight I would.

Oh, and just to ensure that this section doesn't get too touchy feely -

IN THE MEANTIME GO OUT AND READ A BL*ODY BOOK ​

 

[YorkshireBees]

As previously said, leave a Nuc alone!

When I have made Nucs up this year I generally have used 1 QC (unsealed if possible) and only one further inspection a few days later to check it is the only QC.
After that walk away for at least a month!
What is the point in inspecting earlier?
Even when a Queen is mated and starts to lay you need to wait at least another week or more to check that the brood is
a) Worker brood (ie it has to be sealed)
b) Healthy and in a good pattern

Making Nucs up is the easy part, not interfering with them for 1 - 1.5 Months seems to be the downfall for a lot of beekeepers.

 

[Tremyfro]

Thx for the input. I am going to leave alone and see what transpires.
MY BOOKS are dogeared from so much thumbing through them with honey coated fingers. I would. Like to learn more about queen rearing...especially since I have such as great Queen in one of my hives. Be a pity to lose her genes.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Nothing stopping you trying a demarree increase next year - not complicated, all you need is the kit you should have and a few nucs.

 

[Swarm]

Nothing stopping you trying a demarree increase next year - not complicated, all you need is the kit you should have and a few nucs.

Hoping to do the same with Khaleesi next year.

 

[Tremyfro]

I have the kit now...after the huge increase in bees in both hives....got ourselves sorted. Took ages as both companies were out of stock...still haven't got the new hive from MB. Although they tell me it's on its way through the snail post. Also just got David Cramp Beekeepers Field guide. A very useful reminder of how to do 'stuff' when at the hive. It is amazing how all the things you have learnt disappear when doing an inspection!