extra queen with package - opinions wanted

[Zweefer]

So yesterday was bee delivery day.  I found an extra queen in the bottom of my package...

I ordered three 2lb packages, so my question is this - would you suggest banking the queen in the cage, or trying to split a 2lb into two nucs?

If banking, how does one bank a single queen in a queenright hive?  I've done banks before with 5-15 queens, but that hive wasn't queenright.

My gut tells me to hold her until the three packages can build up a bit and can afford to donate a frame each for a split...
What says the brain trust?  :eusa_think:

Thanks!

[Bakersdozen]

Do you have another colony strong enough to do a split?  That would be my first choice.  2# packages aren't big enough to divide in half, I don't think.  Especially up north where you are.  It still gets pretty cold up there, doesn't it?  Could you take a small portion of each package to make a 4th hive and add your bonus queen to that?

I have heard about two queens in packages.  I have never experienced it. Bonus!

[LazyBkpr]

   Tinking about it since you called yesterday.. laid in bed thinking about it too......     You have drawn comb....   How many packages did you get? three???   Been trying to decide if a handfull of bees from EACH of those packages on drawn comb and WELL fed would be enough....   probably not if its still snowing up there, MAYBE if its going to turn off warmer?  The other option is, like I said someone who will sell you a nuc, frame of honey/pollen etc... with enough bees to get that queen started....   

[Zweefer]

okay, so when I picked them up Monday it was a balmy 34 and snowing.
Yesterday when I installed, it was 47 and partly cloudy.  tomorrow back in 30s again but 70's this weekend.  Welcome to WI.

I did not have anything that could handle a split at the moment, otherwise, easy decision.

After calling some members of my brain trust (sorry Bakers, I don't have your phone number yet) as I didn't get any action here in time, I decided to set up a separate nuc, and take some bees from each package and added my extra queen. 

Perry was mentioning a study where a single frame of bees on drawn comb added in June were able to build up to overwintering strength.   As I had plenty of drawn comb, this seemed like a great idea.

Iddee reminded me of the quote from Michael Bush who said (paraphrasing here) mix bees from two colonies and they fight... mix bees from three colonies and they will get along fine.

And Lazybkpr reminded me I needed rum!  (his response is noted previously)

[LazyBkpr]

ALL beekeeping decisions are best made AFTER careful consideration and RUM!

[RAST]

mix bees from two colonies and they fight
 Mist them with sugar water with a little vanilla extract in it helps stop this.

[Zweefer]

Vanilla extract?   How little we talkin?

[Bakersdozen]

I did not have anything that could handle a split at the moment, otherwise, easy decision.

After calling some members of my brain trust (sorry Bakers, I don't have your phone number yet) as I didn't get any action here in time, I decided to set up a separate nuc, and take some bees from each package and added my extra queen. 

Perry was mentioning a study where a single frame of bees on drawn comb added in June were able to build up to overwintering strength.   As I had plenty of drawn comb, this seemed like a great idea.

Iddee reminded me of the quote from Michael Bush who said (paraphrasing here) mix bees from two colonies and they fight... mix bees from three colonies and they will get along fine.

And Lazybkpr reminded me I needed rum!  (his response is noted previously)

Except for the rum, I think you made the right decision, Zweefer.     Nucs can be valuable assets to have in the bee yard.
My concerns regarding dividing 2# packages was based upon the potential for still having freezing temperatures way up north there.

I got a text from a friend yesterday.  She and I are mentoring scholarship students for our bee club.  She found an extra queen in with her student's package of bees. 

I released a queen yesterday morning.  It was cool enough that she was super slow leaving the cage and going down in between the frames. She was fine when I pulled the cage out from between the frames but in the short time it took to pull the plug she cooled down.  I eventually removed the screen from the cage and the bees warmed her back up. 

[LazyBkpr]

Awwww..... B12 shot down the rum.....    :'(

[Zweefer]

Just more for us then, buddy.

[Bakersdozen]

Awwww..... B12 shot down the rum.....    :'(

 
Even though I was raised a Baptist, I have enjoyed a mixed drink in the past.  But, there are two beverages I can't do.  Rum (tastes like drinking cough syrup) and beer (or ale).

Now we have gotten off subject.

[The15thMember]

[Bakersdozen]

 
Johnny Depp, now that's another subject in the news.

[Jen]

Gin! ...  A fav of Hercule Poirot, made with Tanqueray gin, Gotta be quality gin! Made with a lemon simple syrup, poured not shaken. Its happy juice, no hangover, and juniper is good for the heart .. no joke ... 

Back on topic:

Zweefer, I absolutely love queens! I stare at them and talk to them, and say 'Hello Sweetheart!' and soak up their beauty. I also mark all of my queens so I can find them and stare at them some more. I can't think of a better queen situation ... than to get one Free 

I have had great luck with pulling a one brood frame (more if you want) nuc from another hive, one that has all the goodies, capped brood, larvae, eggs, honey, pollen and bees. One frame of honey. And 3 frames of drawn wax for queen to get going on. It's a slower process for that nuc to get it's sea legs, but you don't want a 'spare queen' nuc to fill up too fast, it's like the bees are babysitting her for when she's needed for another purpose. Easy as she goes.

[LazyBkpr]

Now we have gotten off subject.

I digress.....


 

   Drink rum with DIET coke,or better, Diet CHERRY coke...  rum is sweet so the diet pop doesnt make it taste like cough syrup!   How is it going Zweef?

   

[Zweefer]

Good! Queen was released without incident and has already laid a few eggs.  I am confident that little nuc will be just fine.


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[LazyBkpr]

SWEET