Rod Billet was planning to replace 4 nuc originated frames of old comb by
gradually displacing them toward the outside
>>O - Old Frame
>>N - New Frame
>>
>>N N N O O O O N N N - Current Setup
>>N N O O N N O O N N - First 'Shift'
>>N O O N N N N O O N - Second 'Shift'
>>O O N N N N N N O O - Third 'Shift'
I've done that myself last year and lost brood during a cold snap due to
'chilled brood'. I was only spreading the nest by one frame at a time. I
suggest an alternative that will take more shifts and more time but will not
divide the brood nest and should avoid any risk of chilled brood losses. Try
this:
NNNOOOONNN
NNNNOOOONN
NNNNNOOOON
NNNNNNOOOO
FNNNNNNOOO F = foundation or 'new-new'
FFNNNNNNOO
FFFNNNNNNO
FFFFNNNNNN
The bees will gradually cease using the old frame as it moves to wall-side
position, and you can remove them.
Luck to you whichever method you use.
John de Groot