Guilfordbeekeepers.org

Wally,
Tomorrow will be 7 days since I brought the cutout nuc home. Would it be safe to go in and check to see if the queen cell is hatched or is it better left alone for a few more days and then check for eggs?

I checked mine yesterday and found the virgin queen. As soon as I saw her, I replaced the frame and got out. I wouldn't linger, I would check quickly for food and bee quantity,and then leave it for another week.

OK, I will take a quick look tomorrow and then hold for another week.

Thanks Wally.

Took a quick peek in the cut out nuc.
Verified they still had some pollen patty left and honey on the shallow frame that I added. I did not pull any frames.
Would 3-4 additional days be a good time to check for eggs ?

Why didn't you look today? You couldn't have asked for a better day.

BTW, adding that shallow frame was a mistake. The comb they draw from the bottom of it is the first place she will lay.

I checked for food and bee quantity.
IF your queen wasn't mated I would not expect this one to be mated. There was no use in disturbing anything to maybe find the virgin queen.
If the queen is out it could take 5-10 days for mating as you mentioned.
Will plan on a better check on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Just my thoughts.

Sounds like the right thoughts.

I checked the cutout nuc a few days ago and I was squinting to see eggs and small larva. Today medium size larva no doubt about it.
Put some pollen patty in just in case they would like some. I was thinking about a nuc hive top feeder but not sure they would take syrup now. They still have the frame of honey. But all in all its good news so far.

Mine is the same, only I have feeders on all nucs. They are taking about a pint a day. I lost one of the nucs, but the other and the hive are doing great.