How much activity now in brood chamber?

[AdamTX]

How much / what kind of activity would you expect to see in a healthy hive at this time of year in the brood chamber? Will any pupae be emerging now, from capped cells -- or is all that finished until springtime?

I'm in the DFW area of Texas.

Thanks.

[tecumseh]

there are a number of considerations to your question.

I am a bit south of you and therefore should expect to have somewhat more brooding than you. If I was a bit further south (say along the coast) I would expect a bit more brooding up than here.

the other variable is genetic disposition... so some of my queens are brooding just a little and some have quit altogether. the total brood area/hive is considerable less than say even 30 days ago. this trending downward in the brood area will continue up until the end of December. then depending of temperature and feed availability the brood patch area in the hive will begin to expand once again.

on most of my hives throughout this 'winter' season' some brooding can be encouraged by appropriately providing some stimulative feed.

[Hambone]

I still have quit a bit of brooding in some. My Minn Hyg have seemed to slowed down the most. This will be my first winter with the MH, so I am not sure if they will just shut down or not. My basic itl. brood all year. Not like spring, but there is brood.

on most of my hives throughout this 'winter' season' some brooding can be encouraged by appropriately providing some stimulative feed.

Like Tec said. Only thing I will add to that Adam, is not to wait until spring to get your hive built back up.

Welcome to the forum Adam!!

[peacekeeperapiaries]

They should be slowing down some but I would think in your area/climate you should still see brood activity.

[Hambone]

Went though most my hives this afternon, and here is what they looked like.

2ea. Minn Hy. Still have a decent amount of brood all stages. Put slowing fast.

2ea. Bought basic Italians. Not much different than the M.H. about 5 frames all stages.

4ea. Feral Swarms. (Only Checked 2) 1 was completely shut down and the other was simular but had a little brood.

2 ea. BWeavers. I guess they didn't get the memo it was fall. They had tons of brood!