Queens and Splits

[gtrr4]

I have read quite of few threads where when making a split you take the old queen out and introduce the new queen to the existing hive.  (just like a swarm)  Is there any reason the new queen can not be introduced to the split vs to the existing hive?  I have not been able to find any documentation why the method of introducing the queen to the existing hive is the preffered/required/normal method.

The reason I ask is when I purchased my Nucs, I was under the impression the queens in my nucs were newly mated queens.

Jason

[iddee]

"(just like a swarm)"  You answered your own question. It's to make them think they have swarmed, so they don't do it again.

When buying nucs, the breeder raises a bunch of queens and pulls nucs and introduces them to sell. He is not trying to prevent swarms. His hives normally don't get big enough to swarm.

[gtrr4]

Thanks Idee, I did not think of it from the breeder/seller point of view.  I will be doing my first splits ever this year and was wondering that upon all my reading.

[LazyBkpr]

   It is as Iddee said.. and often it can be harder to introduce a new queen to old and established bees.. it is usually much easier to get a queen accepted with young nurse bees.. not that you dont have to be careful.

[gtrr4]

I did my first split this past weekend.  Strong hive that had 8-10 frames of brood between 2 deeps and already was storing honey in a super.  I saw there were some swarm cells on a few frames so I took out the queen and made a nuc.  Plenty of bees and brood left to keep the hive going I think till a new queen emerges and gets her groove on.  The hive was actually bearding earlier in the week.  It was humid for a few days and in the mid 80's.  So I wasn't sure if it was overheating or going to swarm.  So upon inspection is where the swarm cells were noticed.....nucs

[Yankee11]

yep gtr,

I've done this 5 times so far this year. Better then them flying off with half the hive.