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2017 Queen rearing.

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  • 2017 Queen rearing.

    After a failed attempt at queen rearing last year, I am trying again.. Using
    cellpunching https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGbbAsAuNOw

    and a cloake board Cloake board queen rearing - The Apiarist

    My eyesight is poor, my coordination is not very good (I'm just a doddery old man ) but attempt 1 this year looks ok..
    Attached Files

  • #2
    Congratulations!

    I have only a few hives so splits fill my needs. I've only done it a few times but it works well.

    Are you intending to sell queens?
    Nutter's Club member.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by DWSmith View Post
      Congratulations!

      I have only a few hives so splits fill my needs. I've only done it a few times but it works well.

      Are you intending to sell queens?
      Not really I'll raise enough to requeen the hives I want to +4 nucs +a few spares..

      But if I am more successful, I might sell a few.
      Last edited by Madasafish; 02-05-2017, 08:39 AM.

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      • #4
        Quick update:
        5 Queen cells placed in mini nucs yesterday.. About a 30% success rate - out of practise.

        Try 2 starts next week..

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        • #5
          Please keep us updated! This stuff is interesting to me.
          Nutter's Club member.

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          • #6
            Quick update. Of the 5 queens that were placed in mini nucs only 1 emerged, A quick post mortem showed the queens immature and dead in cells.
            The cells were covered in brace comb so I had to cut them out. I assume the handling killed them - they are vulnerable.. (This was day 12 out of 16 before emergence.)
            So next time I will place in mini nucs on day 14 - some risk of early emerging virgin killing others - but queens will be better formed.
            Edit: and I have bought a pair of very sharp non stick scissors to ensure cutting out is less stressful
            http://tinyurl.com/lylh9us

            Next batch underway.
            Attached Files
            Last edited by Madasafish; 16-05-2017, 09:20 AM.

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            • #7
              Status update:
              Queens raised and mated successfully:11
              Queens raised waiting mating in mating nucs: 6

              About to raise next batch.. should be mated by September.
              Commercial cost of 17 queens about £500. Actual investment in kit less than £100.


              Pictures of mating nucs:
              Attached Files
              Last edited by Madasafish; 26-07-2017, 10:19 AM.

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              • #8
                Last batch started and weather was horrible. Rain nearly every day. I was feeding the starter colony with sugar solution and pollen substitute but only 2 QCs out of 8 have been raised. Picture of the hive (Jumbo Langstroth) which is raising them:

                From the bottom:
                Hive brood box.
                Cloake board (used to make the top box queenless for a day so they will start Queen Cells)
                Upper brood box where QCs are raised
                2 supers.

                Picture of Qcs with and without nurse bees- Should be capped 11th August and emerge 19th August.
                Attached Files
                Last edited by Madasafish; 10-08-2017, 06:43 AM.

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                • #9
                  Getting better - success rate 11 out of 13.
                  Running out of mating nucs
                  Queen cages added in case of early emergence in this heat - virgin queen will kill all others.
                  Attached Files
                  Last edited by Madasafish; 03-07-2018, 04:57 AM.

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                  • #10
                    Well done - shows a lot of perseverance as well as knowledge - thanks for keeping us in the picture.

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