Small cluster (with brood) in Medium super

[DuaneB]

Hi everyone,
As stated in the subject line, I have a small cluster( maybe one full side of a deep ) that has taken residence in a medium super. The medium has about 4 full frames om honey in it. What can I do with it? Should I make a double screen board, with a 3" x 4" slot in it; put the double screen board on a strong single deep colony; and put the medium on top of the double screen board? Let the strong colony help keep that smaller colony warm? I don't have any extra medium honey frames. Or is there something else I should try/do?

Thanks!

[Jacobs]

If this is an abscond that moved in and the queen is functioning decently, why not try a double screen? It would be a chance to try this help method. I would put 2 of the honey frames right beside the cluster, on either side of the cluster, and the others next to them. I would keep an eye on them and consider a shim and sugar bricks for emergency feed.

If you have the equipment and are not in the mood to experiment with double screens, I would consider putting the bees in a medium nuc. You could put the bees in the bottom super with a honey frame just on either side of the cluster and the other 2 honey frames in the 2nd super just over the cluster. The rest of the frames can be partial feed frames, pollen frames, open drawn comb, whatever you have. This setup would give the bees a smaller area to heat with feed and some insulation beside and just above the cluster.

If they queen is not/has not been functioning well, and if there are enough bees to make it worthwhile, I would combine them into a stronger hive.