Thanks for the feedback everyone.
HP, When I inherited this colony in December, as I mentioned, they were not very strong at that time. I re-homed them (existing frames and all) into a new hive box I'm experimenting with and placed the included frame spacers (If I'm going to test it, I'm testing it as designed), and yes, it creates about a 1/16th" gap between the frames. As a green newbie at the time (heck, I still am!), I did not catch this. I did not use the plastic frames that were designed by the hive manufacturer...perhaps, in hindsight, the spacers were only to be used with those. I don't know, but I'm suspecting so now. Either way, I removed those spacers during the last inspection as well as propolis which they were filling the gaps, as well as some of the bridge comb. Definitely learning my way through this hive.
Van, thanks also for your input and trivia. ;)
I've wondered about this queen ever since I inherited her. I don't know her age and although her production has improved quite substantially since December (as to be expected in the spring), I'm on the fence about her. Would I be in line with your view if I suggested that the worker's aren't feeling the pressure from the queen to develop more comb as she's not wanting to lay more than what space is already available? Back in early April I did an inspection to determine her viability. She seemed to be laying much better, so I decided to let her be. I have no idea of her age. So far as I am aware, she was from a hive removal, but no clue when from...