Beekeeping > General Beekeeping
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. :laugh:
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!
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