Ron Billet asks about side-by-side splits, in general, and specifically doing them now Ron, I believe the advice concerning movement of the split 2-3 miles has principally to do with keeping the field bees. You recognize that you are going to lose them from your split and, in fact, losing them will make queen acceptance a lot easier. You also recognize that you should feed your split to get them to build more foundation. Be certain to wait for 24 hours after moving before introducing your new queen cage. This is not strictly necessary as she will be caged, but is still a good idea. I m not certain you need to feed the hive left behind , or why you are adding a deep to it. If you will have a good flow, you don t need to feed. If your flows are principally over, feeding is a good idea to draw out that much foundation. Presumably, you are adding a deep because either (1) you want to winter in two deeps (sure you want to do that?) or (2) you want the drawn comb for other reasons. Otherwise, and if you are going to have a flow, why not raise comb honey on this hive? It is ideal for it, as you will be creating an artificial swarm by your split, and the bees are primed for drawing comb. If you are not having at least a moderate flow when you split, be certain to cut the bee entrance down to 1 -2 on the split. Otherwise you could get severe robbing and you don t want to go there! John Summerfield commented on how easy it is to make splits, and he is right. I would only pause about the part concerning letting the bees raise their own queen. In the situation being described, the bees will raise several queens from the larvae. I have heard it said by several that I respect that (in their desperation) the bees will not necessarily raise their new queen from the ideal larvae that less than 36 hours old. Say they raise 5 queen cells, and one is started from larvae 60 hours old and the rest from larvae less than 36 hours old. The queen raised from the larvae 60 hours old will hatch first, and promptly kill the other queens in their cells. This queen will not have been well fed (because she started so late) and will lack full ovary development. She will be more likely than others to be superceded early, fail to build good patterns and start early in the spring, etc. Good luck! Lloyd [log in to unmask] Owner, Ross Rounds the finest in comb honey production.