Packages: How early is too early

[Papakeith]

Got a call last night from my bee supplier.  Seems he got an early delivery of bees.  His first shipment wasn't due until the 19th.  The bees I ordered weren't expected until the 9th of May.

So here's the question.  Do I grab my bees now?  Nights are just barely above freezing and daytime temps are starting to hit 50s on a more regular basis. 
Or, do I politely decline and wait for my original ship date?

While I'd like to get some bees in the empty hives I've got.  I'm not sure the weather is good enough yet for a package to thrive.

[Perry]

IMHO?
Packages will start arriving here in a few days as well, but the only guys getting them are the commercials as they will be trying to get them to build up for pollination contracts. Last year a lot of these packages struggled early on.
I would hold off. I just put in an order for 20 queens from Hawaii and they gave me 3 dates, April 27, May 5, and May 12. I picked the May dates as April is just too soon (again, in my opinion). Easier on you and the bees.

[Papakeith]

That's why I chose the later date initially.  Last year's spring was a rough one here; cold and damp.
This year it has just been cold and cold with a side of cold.
I am just now seeing the first crocuses bloom.

But like all things agricultural it is a bit of a gamble. 
If I take the packages early and  the weather holds I could be sitting on three more hives ready to give me a spring honey crop. 
If it doesn't hold I'll be fighting to keep them alive .

decisions, decisions

[robo]

I just started seeing pollen come in a few days ago here and my temperatures are about slightly cooler than yours.   If it were me, I would probably go for it.  The early you get them the longer they have to build up before the flow.  Also don't forget, just because packages are early now does not mean they will be available at later dates.  A turn in the weather can set later packages back as well.

Good luck.

Rob...

[LazyBkpr]

Do you have the resources to give them?  At least a frame of drawn comb?
   I think, as Robo said it IS doable if they have some comb and get fed....  Might even take a frame of brood to help boost them.
   Given the option?  I think I would wait as well.   Getting them earlier would give them time to build up more, but having no resources in the hive they are starting out in will be hard. They need the warmth to make wax and draw the comb.
     

[Papakeith]

I've got 2 deeps worth of drawn comb to give each package as well as honey and pollen filled frames.

[iddee]

""as well as honey and pollen filled frames""

That would make me take them and put them in one box only, not two deeps until the first emergence of new bees.

[Yankee11]

Yea, same here.

With the come. honey and pollen, and you can feed , I would do it.

If all I had was foundation I would probably wait.

[Papakeith]

The question has answered itself. 
I called the supplier back this morning and all of the ones he had left were gone.
I'm back to waiting now.

[robo]

I think a lot of folks where expecting a bee shortage this year,  so I'm sure they where snatched up quickly.

[camero7]

I have plenty of drawn comb and still waited until May 6th for my packages. I think they catch up quickly, don't have to fight the weather and can grab the flow to build. Just my 2 cents.

[apisbees]

In what shape are the hives that made it thru the winter in could you buy queens and split nucs off? Could save a few $