Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: gtrr4 on March 18, 2015, 07:57:17 am

Title: Which is the better queen?
Post by: gtrr4 on March 18, 2015, 07:57:17 am
I am getting a nuc and have a choice of a Carniolan or a Minnesota hygienic Italian.  Any options on  between the two?
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: Ray4852 on March 18, 2015, 08:08:19 am
Carniolans are good. I never use the Minnesota ones.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: Perry on March 18, 2015, 08:10:09 am
Carnis are good if you have winters. ;D
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: Bakersdozen on March 18, 2015, 08:47:38 am
What do others in your area have?  I don't know how severe your winters are, when spring build up starts, and when your nectar flow hits.  A fellow local beekeeper might be able to give you some of those answers.  Around here, the major nectar flow only lasts about a month.  If your queen isn't ready, you will have missed it.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: brooksbeefarm on March 18, 2015, 09:51:53 am
I'll have to bite my tongue, but i agree with Perry. :o I had some Min. Hy. when they first came out, they were  a little hot to deal with, they probably have that worked out by now. I'm happy with my Carni. Mutts. Jack
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: CpnObvious on March 18, 2015, 09:53:22 am
One of the articles recently posted referenced all the differences, pros/cons, of all the bees in the US.  I think it was an American Bee Journal issue.  I don't have time now to try to find that link... maybe someone else...?
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: Lburou on March 18, 2015, 10:00:09 am
I had a couple NUCs that were supposed to have Minn Hyg. queens in 2011-12.  They were a bit more aggressive than I prefer and made a lot of propolis.  They did make strong, populous hives with enough honey to make a winter.   :)
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: riverbee on March 18, 2015, 11:00:49 am
carni.................

"One of the articles recently posted referenced all the differences, pros/cons, of all the bees in the US.  I think it was an American Bee Journal issue.  I don't have time now to try to find that link... maybe someone else...?"

it's here:
Stocks of Bees in the United States ABJ Feb 2015 (http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,3569.msg49447.html#msg49447)
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: gtrr4 on March 18, 2015, 12:44:38 pm
Thanks for the article Riverbee.  That was very useful and informative.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: tbonekel on March 18, 2015, 02:00:43 pm
I had a couple NUCs that were supposed to have Minn Hyg. queens in 2011-12.  They were a bit more aggressive than I prefer and made a lot of propolis.  They did make strong, populous hives with enough honey to make a winter.   :)

I would imagine those northern bees didn't like our Texas heat and humidity. If I moved up north during January, I bet I wouldn't be too happy either.   ;)
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: Jen on March 18, 2015, 02:22:45 pm
I introduced two carni queens last year, I love them. Sweet gentle bees.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: Lburou on March 18, 2015, 04:25:03 pm
Quote from: tbonekel
I would imagine those northern bees didn't like our Texas heat and humidity. If I moved up north during January, I bet I wouldn't be too happy either.   ;)
They did fine herein north Texas, until I  superseded them by selling them in NUCs  ;-)
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: riverbee on March 18, 2015, 06:29:21 pm
"Thanks for the article Riverbee.  That was very useful and informative."

gtrr4, you are very welcome, i think perhaps it is one of the best articles i have read in a long time on the subject.

carnis vs minnesota hygenics, i have no experience with the minn hygenics

i do have a beek friend who kept minn hygienics i think for about 5 years or more, she has kept bees for 35 years. she lost most of her minn hygienic colonies every year, and was one to treat for mites. 




Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: GLOCK on March 18, 2015, 06:39:22 pm
give me a good AM MUTT any day they are some of the best queens .
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi952.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fae9%2FGLOCK3%2FBEEKEEPING%25202014%2FP6290030_zps52617b69.jpg&hash=6ac22ffa15afbad13a71bb2fd4401605c5a661a2) (http://s952.photobucket.com/user/GLOCK3/media/BEEKEEPING%202014/P6290030_zps52617b69.jpg.html)(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi952.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fae9%2FGLOCK3%2FBEEKEEPING%25202014%2FP6290016_zps89d824f4.jpg&hash=fa6dad6f0e752b7fd44a9b9b52f2b27ac4983f83) (http://s952.photobucket.com/user/GLOCK3/media/BEEKEEPING%202014/P6290016_zps89d824f4.jpg.html)(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi952.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fae9%2FGLOCK3%2FGLOCK%2520WORLD%2FP8190015.jpg&hash=1bec84c3505d0c86a21fd92f247dd0061c59e8a5) (http://s952.photobucket.com/user/GLOCK3/media/GLOCK%20WORLD/P8190015.jpg.html)
Every one should make there own queens.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: rcannon on March 18, 2015, 08:19:10 pm
I agree with Glock. My best queen showed up here in a rr crosstie. I'll take a mutt any day over a commercial queen.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: riverbee on March 19, 2015, 12:08:15 am
i don't disagree with you guys about mutt queens.

with that said, gtrr4 in his first post on this thread was looking for advice on a choice between carniolans and minnesota hygienic italian.

"I am getting a nuc and have a choice of a Carniolan or a Minnesota hygienic Italian.  Any options on  between the two?"

gtrr4 is getting a nuc, the two choices do not include 'mutt queens'.  let's help him out here?
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: Jen on March 19, 2015, 12:15:16 am
Good Idea River  :)  I will say again that I really like my carni's, they make sweet gentle bees  ;)
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: rwlaw on March 19, 2015, 08:39:51 am
I tried a Carni queen three years ago, while they were like kittens and a good robust hive, I could've sold propolis by the pound and her daughter's hive was hot as a firecracker. I wasn't sad to see em go last winter.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: GLOCK on March 19, 2015, 07:21:43 pm
i don't disagree with you guys about mutt queens.

with that said, gtrr4 in his first post on this thread was looking for advice on a choice between carniolans and minnesota hygienic italian.

"I am getting a nuc and have a choice of a Carniolan or a Minnesota hygienic Italian.  Any options on  between the two?"

gtrr4 is getting a nuc, the two choices do not include 'mutt queens'.  let's help him out here?
Your right So sorry . If i was you i'd take both but if i had to chose i'd go with the  Carniolans . Did not mean to change the thread good luck you'll love bees.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: rcannon on March 19, 2015, 08:26:04 pm
Sorry, I didn't mean to hijack the thread. If its your first nuc, I'd go Carnolian, also.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: Ray on March 19, 2015, 10:30:50 pm
I never had Minn Hygenic, but I do like my Carni's. Good Luck and enjoy.
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: gtrr4 on March 20, 2015, 03:53:26 pm
I wanted to thank everyone for their input I am going to go with the carni
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: riverbee on March 20, 2015, 05:10:30 pm
gt, i think you will be happy with your choice, mn hygenics are still italians of some sort.  although italians are very gentle, productive bees, i have not had good success with them as far as wintering, and don't seem to winter well in northern climates and not as well as carnis. (just my HO).

the place you are getting your nucs from, are these overwintered nucs, or queens introduced into the nuc?

good luck and enjoy!
Title: Re: Which is the better queen?
Post by: gtrr4 on March 21, 2015, 05:35:08 pm
The nucs will be a split from a hive here in Ohio.