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<strong>Better</strong> <strong>Queens</strong> <strong>by</strong> <strong>Jay</strong> <strong>Smith</strong><br />
equipment will be necessary. Under such circumstances it is best to rear<br />
queens during a honey flow as conditions are more favorable and queen<br />
rearing is a simple matter compared to rearing them when there is no flow.<br />
When the honey flow is just beginning is the best time to start as there is an<br />
abundance of pollen coming in along with the nectar, and pollen is just as<br />
necessary as nectar.<br />
For starting cells, first get the foundation drawn as described. Next set to the<br />
rear the hive containing your breeder, with the entrance in the opposite<br />
direction from the original position. In its place put another hive and in it put<br />
two frames solid with honey and pollen. Shake in half of the bees from the<br />
breeder hive and put the breeding queen into the prepared hive. Within 24<br />
hours she will have a good patch of eggs in the new comb. The comb should<br />
be placed over an excluder on a strong colony. In case you do not wish to<br />
start more cells immediately, this hive with the two combs and the one with<br />
the eggs may be set over the hive formerly containing the breeder, setting this<br />
hive on its former stand. The two hives must be separated with an excluder,<br />
with the queen in the bottom hive. This colony must be well fed for we want<br />
the larvae that will soon come from the eggs to be well fed. As soon as the<br />
eggs hatch, turn a strong colony to the rear and in its place set a hive into<br />
which you put two frames of honey and pollen then shake out half of the<br />
bees from the hive you have moved into the hive with the two combs. In case<br />
the colony is not of sufficient strength, two colonies may be set to the rear<br />
and half of the bees from both colonies shaken in. Next cut the comb into<br />
strips as has been described and give a frame of two bars of prepared cells for<br />
this colony to both start and finish. In case one prefers to use a starter hive,<br />
one can be made <strong>by</strong> merely tacking a screen to the bottom of a hive. If this is<br />
done the hive should be set on blocks high enough to afford plenty of<br />
ventilation.<br />
Mating Hives for the Small Beekeeper<br />
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesbetterqueenswpics.htm (101 of 119)20-12-2006 21:42:55
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