>It has been my practice, in instances like this, although I would normally
>not be replacing 3 frames, to place the foundation in the center.  My theory
>is that this forces the bees to draw it out quickly.  Lately I have been
>questioning this and your #5 raises the question again.  I wonder if I am
>splitting the brood nest and hampering egg laying.  What do the rest of you do?
>Eric Abell    [log in to unmask]
 
Putting the new foundation or empty combs in the middle is rather drastic,
as far as splitting the brood nest.  What I do is push the remaining combs
with BROOD together in the center of the hive body, and have the
pollen/honey and honey combs at the sides, outermost.  The replacement
combs or foundation then go in the space between the consolidated brood
combs and the outer food combs.
 
There they will be drawn well, the queen can expand the brood nest out onto
them, and in the meantime there is no drastic division of the brood nest
integrity.