Eggs per cell?

[Grandma_DOG]

I was checking on a cutout hive and saw 5 eggs in one cell, I believe it to be queenless. I expect to have a laying worker there.

The hive cutout is on you tube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3uVH1pVvJM


But in another hive that also was a cutout it had 1 egg per cell, then I saw 2 in one cell, is that normal in a health hive?

[sc-bee]

Neat!!! Good job. Eat your heart out JP ;)

[Cheryl]

But in another hive that also was a cutout it had 1 egg per cell, then I saw 2 in one cell, is that normal in a health hive?

In a hive with a BRAND NEW (young, newly mated) laying queen, sometimes you'll see more than one egg per cell - often combined with a choppy laying pattern. This is only because She hasn't gotten the hang of things yet. Her skills will improve over time. As for the extra egg(s), the workers take care of that problem and insure that only one remains in each cell.

Rule of thumb: If two eggs are stuck on the bottom of the cell floor, you have an inexperienced queen.... if multiple eggs (or even just one egg) are stuck to the side-wall of the cell, you've got a laying worker.