Dark v buckfast

[Machonachos]

Looking to pick up a nuc and have the choice of dark or buckfast bees. What are the noticeable differences and what traits do each have that would be positive for a beginner to beekeeping?

 

[madasafish]

Both can be good, both can be rubbish. Depends on who bred them and whom the queen mated with..

 

[Beefriendly]

Wise words indeed
Caveat emptor.

Do your research wisely when buying queens.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Agree with madasafish; my preference would be for bred bred locally. If it's the dark girls and they are well-behaved, that would be my choice. The reason is I would be concerned about future crosses being badly behaved - much more likely with bees from elsewhere or hybrids.

 

[B+.]

much more likely with bees from elsewhere or hybrids.

Except, "local bees" are usually already mongrels. When it's daughters mate with uncontrolled drones, it's like playing the lottery: you have no idea what the progeny will be like.

 

[Stiffy]

Both can be good, both can be rubbish. Depends on who bred them and whom the queen mated with..

I have both dark and very yellow buckfast even though they mostly come from the same source, Indeed some of my 2018 queens are very dark. I will be have been having words with their mother to see who she has been 'playing' around with....probably the local scruffs down the road!
S

 

[Swarm]

I've sent you a pm.