Hi I'm glad to see a thread on observation hives as we had a strange
occurance here week before last. Our hive is a 8 frame hive which we
stocked in the spring. Everything was fine except that the queen we
introduced from California, would only lay on two of the frames, and they
were slowly going down in numbers.We would cover at night when it was cool.
We have a pipe going through the window and they would congregate at the
end of it.  They balled her about 12 days ago and I have looked for an
emergency cell to no avail. We requeened yesterday and added a full frame
of honey, so far the bees are showing very little interest in her. We're
not sure why this occured. Any speculation?  We're thinking possibly she
just wasn't viril enough to suit them though she still was laying eggs.
Possibly  the hive isn't ventilated enough though we have air holes on the
sides and the top. The exit pipe is on the side down towards the base.
We're wondering about having them fly out the top. Any ideas would be
appreciated. Sharon
 
*Kirk Jones/ Sleeping Bear Apiaries /971 S. Pioneer Rd./Beulah,MI 49617
*Sharon Jones/ BeeDazzled Candleworks /6289 River Rd./ Benzonia, MI 49616
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