> On starting a new hive is it better to keep them crowded for a > month or so (in one brood box) or should I give them plenty of room... This depends on many things: Time of year, size of split, presence or absence of flow, coldest weather expected, where you live, etc. Generally speaking, small hives (nucs should be confined to a space they can control in terms of humidity and temperature and that they can defend from wax moths and predators as well as other bees, but which permits them to expand and contains sufficient feed to carry them from one visit to the next. Larger hives during flow conditions and warm weather should be given about twice the space they appear to actually need. Sufficient openings for ventillation must be available in case the weather gets hot, while they should still be confined sufficiently that they do not withdraw from the supers during a cold night or rainy day due to cold. In the fall, when flows are unlikely large colonies should be reduced to two standard supers or less for wintering. Allen