I would like some advice on increasing brood production... I have a hive that has like of splotchy brood patterns. If I knew how to attach a picture I would but I don't...
I consider the fall brood period from August 15th till 15 October. In the northeast, you need at least 60 days (Three full brood cycles) to have enough young bees to carry the hive through winter. It is the bees raised in September that make or break a hive in December and January.
To encourage brood, open feeding is the best option. It simulates a flow, stimulates the queen to lay eggs, and also limits the amounts of syrup they can put away by the hours they can fly. This means that they will not backfill the comb and limit the queens ability to lay eggs.
Read this page, and start on August, and you will get a sense of what it's all about.
http://www.pennapic.org/seasonaladvice.htmlHope this helps.