Beginners Queen rearing.

[Eyeman]

I would say, those working within the programme gain the most from it. I've had hygienic behaviour for longer than I care to remember and am working on developing VSH now. My honey yields are higher than anyone in my area and my bees are infinitely better behaved

So all you Beeks in Bedforshire why can't you get you act together and start producing some honey and culling all those nasty bees?

 

[eltalia]

I attempted to answer the question Eltalila
It is typical forum (most forums anyway) for topics to drift.
PH

Yep, you did that PH, posting a link to your work elsewhere.
https://www.bee keepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7767
Descriptive of work I'll bet my last buck ol'mate OP is just
not going to even contemplate undertaking.
No..?... look at the timeline.
Twelve minutes after your 'attempt(ed)' the OP posts a "thanks for
coming" !
Call me weird - or wired in, whatever takes your fancy - but I have
wasted enough oxygen in this life to know pretty much how forums
work for those asking... an' so I can say confidently the OP left the
thread soon after, probably to go ask the same question elsewhere.
What he was looking for is what I have just done and checked today
all is in place.
Being;
Maybe a week ago into a 7frame queenless colony at CM (critical
mass) I placed a section of egg populated comb (200x150mm),
freestanding between frames #3 and #4. That comb came from an
outyard holding a known Italian X feral strain. The target colony is
in a known quality feral habitat. Today that comb had 10 queen cells
capped and one uncapped. I left four to hatch and will check in 7
days for herself to be fattened up and roaming around.
That is the answer ol'mate OP was looking for.
Do note I elected not to include the detail in Post#22 as even this
simple effective method requires some onsite calls, details a two
season bee holder would not have a grip of, yet.... nevermind tackling
the way more complex suggestions now aired.

The scope for responses are all in the question... IME/OMMV

Bill

 

[B+.]

So all you Beeks in Bedforshire why can't you get you act together and start producing some honey and culling all those nasty bees?

That's an excellent question Eyeman.
I offered to help set up a breeding group about 9 years ago. There was little interest. Most people at the time were content to buy Buckfasts from a local multiplier.
As always, it's very difficult to get beekeepers to agree about anything, let alone share resources and work together.

 

[eltalia]

No. The majority of bees are mongrels after repeated crossing with races from all over Europe which have been imported over the last century.

Much as it is here among those trading queens at the lower end of that market.

This doesn't stop people from learning to raise queens,

True, as in raising... cultivating a line of genetics is something else though, surely.

but, it does mean that serious bee breeding can only be conducted using instrumental insemination.

Only reporting what I know of in this Country the "serious' stud is either
developed by beekeepers of decades of experience - gained before
undertaking such work - or students of biology with a qualification in
a relevant stream. Can be both, sure, but usually the latter extract an
attractive income from selling their services and/or published works.
So it is queen suppliers are known by repute, their product known by
name ("Billz Beez") and not DNA code.

Bill

 

[Eyeman]

That's an excellent question Eyeman.
I offered to help set up a breeding group about 9 years ago. There was little interest. Most people at the time were content to buy Buckfasts from a local multiplier.
As always, it's very difficult to get beekeepers to agree about anything, let alone share resources and work together.

If it was 9 years ago then probably time for a revisit?

 

[B+.]

If it was 9 years ago then probably time for a revisit?

Perhaps so.

 

[Swarm]

 

[JC47]

Having considered the replies to this post, I shall follow the advice given by PH. All the equipment is available including a younger pair of eyes from my very young wife. Thank you for your advice Pete and our Aussie friend can be assured that I did read your link and have not sought advice from another source.

 

[eltalia]

Well done, staying with the thread JC... that demonstrates resilience which
quality would serve well in your endeavours. It should be apparent to you
those posting on topic have all been where you are at - albeit maybe in
youthfull climes - and so do only save you wandering into rough outcomes
they know of.
As always the bees will work it all out

Bill

 

[JC47]

Thank you Bill.

 

[Poly Hive]

Feel free to pm if you want JC47

PH

 

[sean-a]

As always, it's very difficult to get beekeepers to agree about anything, let alone share resources and work together.

OMG !!
This site is a testament to that!
Petty squabbles break out over anything and everything.