Installing Packages

[jeepjivenwale]

I'm still fairly new to beekeeping, and had a few questions...A little history...my first year i started with a Nuc, they died in February...I replaced them with a 3lb package, I got 65 lbs of honey from them and they have survived this mild winter...I'm adding 11 new colonies this year.

Who puts 4 colonies to a pallet?  I'm trying it this year and wondering the advantages and disadvantages...

I've installed 11 3lb packages today. 

Who does an immediate queen release into their hives?  I do.  A few flew up, but i gave them some time to come back, and we'll see.

Of the 11 packages i released today, 2 of the three pallets have what looks to be like a 3lb package of bees bearded up on the outside...not particulary on just one specific hive...one is bearded up under 2 of the top covers, (my pallets are set up two north, two south, and the rear of the top covers touch)the other bearded up between the pallet slats at the ground level.  Is this a result of queens taking off?  Its supposed to get down to 34 tonight...I'm afraid if they dont move in soon, I'll lose them.

[sterling]

I would look in those bunches of bees you are calling beards to see if the queen may be in there. If she flew off she may have returned to the hive but she wouldn't know where to enter.

[jeepjivenwale]

Thanks Sterling...I did just that...found one for sure and inserted her into the hive.  The other one was a crap shoot...Time will tell.  Sure enough, two hives were bee-less.  At least there all in for the night now.