Thanks to all for the input.  I decided to pull two frames of brood/bees and
donate to a weaker hive, so they have a bit more space now.  Hopefully the
swarm impulse will subside.  I spoke to the apiary I got the nucs from.  He
breeds his own queens - these are Caucasian (Russian) x Carniolan SMR
hybrids.  This explains the dark color and somewhat heavy propolis.  I've
heard that some of the Russian hybrids can be a bit nasty.  The breeder
mentioned that he occasionally gets a hot hive like this, but they produce
like hell.

As an aside, I did notice that sugar spray had a noticeably better effect on
them than smoke, which seemed to do damned little to calm them.

I'll let it run for a while, and see if the temperament improves.
Fortunately, they are in a modified top bar hive (it takes standard deep
frames as well), so they should be a little more manageable than a
Langstroth.  In the meantime, I'll just put on the body armor when I work
them.


regards,

Todd.

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