Author Topic: Which is the better queen? (Read 7548 times)

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?

Ray4852 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2015, 08:08:19 am »

Carniolans are good. I never use the Minnesota ones.

Perry · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2015, 08:10:09 am »

Carnis are good if you have winters.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #3 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.

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2015, 09:51:53 am »

I'll have to bite my tongue, but i agree with Perry.

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

CpnObvious · « **Reply #5 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...?

Lburou · « **Reply #6 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.

riverbee · « **Reply #7 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

gtrr4 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2015, 12:44:38 pm »

Thanks for the article Riverbee. That was very useful and informative.

tbonekel · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2015, 02:00:43 pm »

Quote from: 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.

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.

Jen · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2015, 02:22:45 pm »

I introduced two carni queens last year, I love them. Sweet gentle bees.

Lburou · « **Reply #11 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 ;-)

riverbee · « **Reply #12 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.

GLOCK · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2015, 06:39:22 pm »

give me a good AM MUTT any day they are some of the best queens .

Every one should make there own queens.

rcannon · « **Reply #14 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.

riverbee · « **Reply #15 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?

Jen · « **Reply #16 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

rwlaw · « **Reply #17 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.

GLOCK · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2015, 07:21:43 pm »

Quote from: 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?

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.

rcannon · « **Reply #19 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.