When to add a second brood box with a flow hive? Missouri, USA

[Dawn_SD]

@psyscope

Just want to make sure I understand you can add a second brood box and then the super?

Yes. That is exactly what you should do, but only add the second brood box when your first is bursting with bees. I don’t want to type it all again today, but look half way down this answer that I wrote earlier today:

Hi from Keller TX

Good idea. I would take out the plastic foundation frames and move the capped honey/pollen to the outer edges. Then put the empty frames one frame in from the outside. The intention is to make the bees cross the empty frames to get to the honey. That way, they will consider them part of the brood nest and probably work them sooner. I would probably leave the feeder in place until it is empty, then take it out - don’t refill it. Is the plastic foundation waxed? If not, it is going to be a real …

@psyscope

Now one queen for the whole entire operation?

Yes, but only when the first box is 80% full, bursting with bees etc…

@psyscope

Also, would I be better off adding another empty brood box, or get another Nuc

You will find it hard to get another nuc without a queen. People will look at you funny. Just use an extra deep box of empty (or wax foundation) frames.