How well do they work with an extra 6 frame box on them? You mentioned the feeder getting comb in it i imagine with the 6 frame extension it may be worse as the feeder channel on the top box will just be open space rather than full of syrup? I ask because iv just bought my first nuc of bees in one and was thinking rather than transferring them into a 10 frame national just dropping a 6 frame on top and letting them over winter before perhaps splitting them into 2 nationals in the spring?
Hi, yes that could be a problem...haven't used an extension with the Paynes only with the maismore hives and their feeder is on the top. I would be wintering them in a full hive myself. There is still a fair bit of time left in the season and if there is any balsam around you its not impossible for them to get a super of honey from it. Let them fill most of the brood box up then put on a queen excluder and super and see what happens. You ca still split it in spring and put the split back in the Paynes nuc. You'll have one full hive and nuc if all goes well over winter. 😊
@@gwenyngruffydd thanks i may well transfer them to the full size hive and see if i can get it built up enough to drop a super on. As you say it will give me an extra nuc com spring and if nothing else the chance of pulling a few frames of honey. Im up in the Scottish borders so we might be a bit colder up here earlier than you.
