Hmmm, interesting. Thanks everybody!
Unfortunately, with my job this spring, I"m pretty much limited to weekend beekeeping. If I can get home early enough, I'll try to get into them one evening, but it will most likely be Saturday. I'll let you know!
The only problem with dropping in a frame of eggs, is the only 'donor' hive I have is the mississippi queens, (HN2 is still too weenie). And those bees, while they have great genetics for resistance and hygiene, are not the friendliest hive. : / . But! If I find it is indeed queenless, this is probably what I will do.
Thanks again everyone. Always interesting to surmise and see opinions. I'm trying to get back to watching the behavior and then comparing it to what I 'see' inside.
Oh! Did I tell you I'm getting an extractor for my birthday!! Soooo excited! I have a great big brother! :)
love,
ziffa