When _exactly_ should I add the second hive body?

[Zinc]

I'm sure I'm asking for precision beyond what's resonable - but here goes anyhow!  : )

Inspected my 6 week old hive today and they're well into drawing out and filling the 7th and 8th frames. Now - from what I've read you're to add the second hive body when you have 8 frames drawn.

Do you wait until the 8 frames are fully drawn (and the bees working on 9 and 10)? Or do you wait until they're working heavily on 7 and 8?

Again - probably splitting hairs here and should just go ahead and put the second body on - but this is my first hive and I figure I'm alotted a good number of pointless questions. : )

Thanks in advance.

-Craig

[kathyp]

oh, you can do it while they are on 7 or on 8.  do it before 9.  you could even do it at 6, but i'd wait until 7 or 8....   

try not to get to wound up in the small stuff. there are plenty of big things coming along for you to spin over.

[JP]

It seems your hive is strong and your temps are up, I would add the next box after they have drawn completely 8 of the ten, but because your temps are up its not critical if you did it now.


...JP