Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Raising Queens => Topic started by: tedh on May 01, 2016, 11:23:12 am

Title: moving queen cells
Post by: tedh on May 01, 2016, 11:23:12 am

I remember reading that you shouldn't move queen cells, or at least do so extra gently, at a certain age for fear of damaging her wings (I believe).  Memory says day thirteen.  How far off am I?  Our goal is to hive them on day ten.  We wanted to move them earlier (day eight)      but the weather would not allow.  Again, the question is what day in the development should we not mess with queen cells?  Thanks everyone!  Ted

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: pistolpete on May 01, 2016, 01:47:57 pm

If you google queen rearing calendar, you will get things in a nice format.  As a general rule, cells should not be moved for the first two days after they are sealed, because at this stage the pupa is soft like gelatine.

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: apisbees on May 01, 2016, 02:44:58 pm

Look in the queen rearing threads RiverBee pinned a thread with links available calendars the last one she accesses is a web page based one.
http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,664.msg70357.html#msg70357

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: LazyBkpr on May 02, 2016, 03:30:53 am

Cells are usually capped on around Day 9...  I have never tried to move an uncapped cell????    I was always told not to fuss with the cells until day 13, but to MOVE them on day 13/14 just in case I was off a day or two in my reckoning...

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: tedh on May 05, 2016, 08:35:45 am

Thanks for the responces!  For better or worse today is the day is the day for the move.   Wish me luck.  Ted

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: Bee Commander on May 05, 2016, 09:02:23 am

Hi Ted,

I just started using an incubator this year and it's been a great addition. I move my cells into the incubator on day 9. It gives me a lot of latitude especially when the weather is not cooperating. When moving the cells the frame goes directly from my cell builder into a deep (empty) where I very carefully remove the JZBZ cups from the frame bar and set them on top of a roller cage then into the incubator. The cell at this stage is never not in a vertical position.

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: LazyBkpr on May 06, 2016, 08:45:54 pm

Howd it go????

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: tedh on May 06, 2016, 10:16:34 pm

The transfer went well....for me.  I'll check the cells in another week to see if they made it out alive.  Sounds terrible, but that's what I've got!

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: LazyBkpr on May 07, 2016, 10:55:43 pm

Yup, let the chips fall where they may.  Keeping fingers crossed.

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: Zweefer on May 08, 2016, 07:40:09 am

Good luck Ted!

Title: Re: moving queen cells
Post by: tedh on May 08, 2016, 07:52:24 pm

Thanks guys.  I'll keep you posted.