I do have a slice of foundation on each end of both boxes. I have nothing to start with so there really is NO choice.
I have an outside feeder on a small stand outside of the hive with the edge of the feeder on the entrance of the hive. I have never used one of these before and what a sloppy process indeed. Gotta be a better way. I am probably gonna take the excluder off and set it up right as I am feeling like this hive may be fine.
On the hive thats not doing well They are all (the ones that are left) inside the box in a corner. They seem lethargic.
How long until I remove (check on)the queen and cage in the hive I think is doing well?
Update: I took the excluder off of the entrance to the so called "good" hive because I saw quite a few dead bees on the bottom board in there as well. I did see them start to toss out bodies but, couldnt stick around because of the ticks creeping all over me.
After having a couple of hives in Florida where I always removed bees from somewhere and kept them I must say this whole nuc process is real dissapointing along with the zero responses I got when trying to inquire about bees with New Jersy beekeepers. Sad,sad, sad when it is supposed to be about the bees!. I wish I would have paid more attention to what was in the boxes when I walked away from Brushy's wearhouse. Too many dead bees and I cant be sure when the death took place.
Monday May 21 2012. Just couldnt resist checking queen cage in good hive. She was still in the cage ALIVE but, they had not made much progress getting her out so I popped the cork, put the entrance excluder back on and am gonna let them do their thing only going out to feed. Will see what Brushy says today.
Bill