Recent content by SWEET

CO2 - quick/simple (y)

I've done this with a nuc sat on top of the hive (instead of extra brood boxes) - also works or can fail like every method.

Ha - Mark M says hello (F-Man).

I've been waiting 6 months to check on these II queens, super happy with the results :cool:

Now if it looked like that (some of mine a few weeks back) I'd be happy (maybe) and adding space.

A trivial bit of drone comb, but in a few weeks/month (depending on xyz) the entire space will become a mess - but you'll have added space by then :) All good.

Morning and thanks for the reply; if this was case they would not be filling those super frames so quickly. The colony had around 8+ capped brood so i've added a Demaree board before they decide to swarm and to use as a resource for young bees (for mating nucs/timed with drone rearing for other...

Around 9 empty frames - I generally don't use these little frames in supers either (just had a few to hand but phasing them out this year).

My local Mud | Wind | Rain | Cold proof bees ho ho ;)

Pleasure.

Bees on the OSR today - (10-12 and windy/showers)

I've loads of hives all over OSR currently, 12-15 over the past days - no issues (hammering it today).

OP - The responses are right, if you are asking for advice on here you should not be digging into hives just yet. But if you have the resources and experience you can sort out these issues - Dropped in start March, now have open brood. (bit more to it than just dropping in a purchased/imported...

You seem to have driven off down another lane, I think I get your gist. Yeah all good if you have the space/island etc; middle of the UK here so forget breeding stations with controlled drones (sadly). Saying that.. 80-90% open-mated seem OK around this area but my II queens have blown them away...

Oh yes, there are vastly more complex factors at play they will give all sorts of mixed results. You mention sex alleles and inbreeding, one of the areas i'm looking into is how to mix (homogenized) drone sperm from various lines. Searching for a decent centrifuge and methods around that...