A fortnight ago I transferred 3 Q cells to a hive that had lost a queen a couple of months ago. Today I found a hatched queen and marked her. However she was moving very slowly and seemed to lack vigour. The colony about her has kept going over the past few months by raising drones, but has slowly been losing strength. I see them out foraging, and they have both pollen and some stores, but not much. Just a few grubs - they will I'm sure still be drones, as I doubt the Queen is yet mated. I put a tray of syrup on last week, but it has scarcely been touched. I am wondering if the colony lacks the age of workers - nurse bees? - to feed the Queen. I have a feeling that urgent action may be necessary, but not sure what it is. Should I try shaking bees into the hive off a frame from a strong colony? Or transferring a frame of brood with nurse bees on? I'm looking to do something about this tomorrow, Saturday, so advice advice that can be offered now would be much appreciated!
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