2014 Hive 4 (new package)

Hive status:  New 3lb package 2014
Hive origin: Package from Waldo Apiaries
Queen type: 2014 Italian (Buckeye Belle were not produced in time)

Significant events/observations:
I picked up this package on April 16, 2014 in Ashley, OH, near Columbus, OH.  Installed by Garrett and I on 4/16/14 in the afternoon, 47 degrees and sunny.  Pail feeder placed on top.

4/21/14:  Queen had been released and eggs spotted.  Feeder still half full.

5/10/14:  Spotted eggs.  Bees were angry and I got stung twice.  Had to cut out some comb between bottom frames on the upper deep and top of frames on the lower deep.  Removed sugar syrup and entrance reducer.  Added first honey super.

5/19/14:  Eggs spotted, no signs of swarming, ok on space.

5/25/14:  Eggs spotted.  Rearranged deep frames to encourage wider brood nest.  Removed propolis from upper deep.

5/31/14:  Added new honey super and off-set entrance between upper deep and lowest super.

6/10/14:  Eggs.  Looks good.  Will need an new super in several days.

6/22/14:  Eggs.  Found many swarm cell cups, some with eggs and no royal jelly.  Only the center 4 frames were full of honey in both supers, so I moved the 4 wall frames to the middle of each super.  Will need another super soon.

7/15/14:  Eggs.  Space remaining in top (2nd) super.  Spotty brood pattern, something to watch.

8/2/14:  Eggs spotted.  Pulled capped honey frame by frame until down to 2 supers on hive.  Spotty brood, which may just be seasonal slowing.  Defensive!  Not much honey pulled.