hive strengthening

[rast]

 I have read about, but never swapped hive positions for equalizing worker counts.
 Is this done during the day when the workers are out in the field?

[rdy-b]

when ever the bees will work it out-RDY-B

[BEES4U]

The returning field bees may kill the weaker hives queen that you are trying to strengthen.
I would reccommend giving your weaker hive a frame of sealed / capped brood that has baby bees chewing out of their cells.
Locate the frame of sealed brood, shake the bees off the frame into their box/hive and place the frame of sealed brood on the outside of the weaker hives brood nest. The frame of sealed brood will all emerge within 7 to 10 days.
It's called equalizing
Ernie

[rdy-b]

frames of brood always add a boost no doubt -but never had any problems swaping strong and weak hives with or without brood -we were talking about this subject not to long ago here is what others have to say                                                         -        http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,17938.0.html                                                                                                                                                       ERNIE I THOGHT EQUILZING was done by loading the truck in the day time and moving it at night  :-D only kiding thanks for the tip-RDY-B           

[pdmattox]

I would do it at midday and yes a frame of brood would help out a lot. Never have I had problems when switching hive locations.  ditto on rdy-b's post.

[BEES4U]

ERNIE I THOGHT EQUILZING was

You are right.
Load the heavy ones up front and the lighter ones on top or the end of the load.
Even the lighter ones get heavy later on in the move?
It helps to pull the honey supers, extract, and move with not too much honey.

Ernie