Recently I made an observation within a couple of my hives.
I split several big healthy colonies.  I waited 24 to 48 hours
before introducing a new queen.  (Within the breeder's shipping cage.)
What I observed was during that time of queenlessness, the hive
went into chaos.  Nectar, pollen and water were being stored
in every open cell and in no apparent order.
Areas where brood had recently emerged were quickly being
filled with stores.
Some of the cells were partially filled others filled to the top.
The queen was accepted and after 10 days I did not see any eggs.
I surmise that she had no place to begin laying.
She aimlessly walked about, laying an egg in what
ever empty cell she could.  However, there was no pattern or nest
development.
It wasn't until the capped brood frame began to emerge before
the queen started to lay in a generally acceptable pattern.
Up until this time I also noticed that the queen's abdomen
hadn't extended very much.
 
Because of what I observed, I am rethinking my queen introductions
process.
David Verville
att!mvtowers!mvdfv