Do queens always come in butler cage things?

[8ace]

When I get back looking at a few places for buckfasts but none states if they come in butler cage things or introduction cages with a few other nurse bees?

 

[Erichalfbee]

They usually come in one of these with a few attendants.
Some folk remove them some don't.
I dont.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

They'll all come in an introduction cage of some kind with a few attendants, in my experience either JZ BZ cages, the puzzle cages as per Ericahalfbee or something similar

 

[B+.]

They'll all come in an introduction cage of some kind with a few attendants, in my experience either JZ BZ cages, the puzzle cages as per Ericahalfbee or something similar

The old fashioned butler cages (made of metal mesh) allowed the bees outside the cage to groom and feed the queen inside the cage. She had somewhere safe to retreat to if they got a bit "enthusiastic". I don't think the modern plastic versions are as good (except possibly the api-puzzle cages) as they are all cheap Chinese junk that don't have enough communication holes.
Introduction cages such as the Nicot cage (http://www.nicotplast.fr/presentationanglais/gbpagecadre.htm) allow the queen to move around, start to lay a few eggs and for bees to emerge inside the cage and groom the queen. This is useful if a queen has come through the post and may have gone "off lay". I make my own from the plastic coated wire mesh that Thornes sell.

 

[For want of a better word]

I would have a distinctive preference to the things not to come at all !

Yeghes da

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I don't think the modern plastic versions are as good (except possibly the api-puzzle cages) as they are all cheap Chinese junk that don't have enough communication holes.

Beg to differ - jzbz cages have plenty of communication holes and a refuge for the queen to hide away in. I do like them - and theextra few pence for the plastic caps to cover the candy is money well spent IMO