On Tue, 23 Jul 1996, Jim Moore DTN276-9448 ogo1/e17 508-496-9448 wrote:
 
>         I have a 2 first year hives, 3 lb packages installed with new
> foundation back in May. Hive #1 is currently 2 deeps and a medium. The
>
>         The brood chambers of the two hives are in vastly different
> states. Both hive are 10 frames in all boxes.
>
>         Hive #2 has 8 frames of brood area in the lower box and 8+ frames
> in the upper deep.
>
>         Hive #1 has brood only  in the bottom deep (6 frames) and lots of
> honey in the upper brood chamber.
>
>
>         If I harvest Hive #2's honey supers in early August will they
> have time and space to store enough honey for the winter in the deeps?
> Here in New England bee winter with 2 deeps.
>
>         For hive #1 are there tactics that I could have used or can be
> used to get the brood chamber back in the bee baby busines and out of the
> honey storage business?
>
 
        Hi Jim,
I think you are correct in assuming that removing brood only 3 or 4 weeks
after starting the package may be why this colony is behind colony #2.
There are other factors that can cause variability in colony
performance. Queen quality, both physical and genetic are important. The
initial population of the colony is a big factor. Often there is drifting
after package introduction causing some colonies to lag others. Hive
position with regard to sunlight or a stress like skunks are other factors.