Nonlaying swarm queen?

[cwoernle]

My one colony gave up a swarm on Palm Sunday weekend.  I was able to capture it, but on several inspections (including one today) I see no evidence of egg laying.  I have spotted the queen, who scurries around with little attention being paid to her.  The workers have drawn out comb, and there is even some capped honey at the top of several frames.  I'm not good at spotting eggs, but there clearly are no larvae, much less capped brood.  I think there are the beginnings of one or two supercedure cells.  Should I give the queen more time, or is it time to replace her? Thanks for the advice.

[Jerrymac]

I don't know how they can make anything from the supercedure cells if the queen isn't laying. Or did you place some brood in there?

[Beth Kirkley]

I'm confused too. Was there some young brood in the hive for them when you caught the swarm? How long has this been again? 3 to 4 weeks?

I can see it taking a week or so until she started laying - maybe. But how in the world is there a supercedure cell but no other brood?

Beth

[Michael Bush]

If it was a virgin queen from an afterswarm it could easily take two weeks for her to mate and start to lay, if the weather is good.  Longer if the weather is not good enough for her to take her mating flights.