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Author Topic: How long for a queen to start laying?  (Read 4129 times)

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Offline pistolpete

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How long for a queen to start laying?
« on: May 27, 2014, 01:13:51 am »
I'm on pins and needles here.  My queen hatched May 18, probably took mating flights 22/23.   I checked on her today and she's still pretty small and slim and not laying, but she does run around on the frame seemingly inspecting cells.    The queen rearing calendars indicate that is should be another couple of days till she starts laying, which seems implausible since she hasn't plumped out.   Any thoughts?
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Offline Perry

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Re: How long for a queen to start laying?
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2014, 06:37:51 am »
Patience. It will happen.  ;)
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Offline iddee

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Re: How long for a queen to start laying?
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2014, 07:20:22 am »
Constant disturbance ay cause them to kill her. Check for eggs around June 6, then leave them alone for 2 more weeks.
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Offline pistolpete

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Re: How long for a queen to start laying?
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2014, 11:07:58 am »
OK, I'm being nosey.  This is my first time intentionally rearing queens (I have 3 on the go).  I've been keeping track of the one in the Nuc because she's always on the same frame so the disturbance to the hive is relatively minor.  I just mist them with sugar syrup a bit and have a peek.   As per your advise, I'll leave them be for a bit.
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Offline apisbees

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Re: How long for a queen to start laying?
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2014, 02:58:46 pm »
It will be the egg laying that will cause her to plump up. As she lays more eggs the fatter she will get till she reaches her full potential.
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