Friendly breeds

[Fizz]

Hi
We are considering whether to requeen a hive that is a bit defensive - all options are open at the moment and we are trying different ways of handling them etc.
But - if i do go ahead and re-queen, are there particular breeds that have a reputation for being more placid, easygoing than others?

 

[Erichalfbee]

My BS honeybees Buckies are so laid back you could almost get away without PPE. You certainly can do without gloves.But they are a cross not a breed and you have to be careful where you buy them from.
B+ Carnies were lovely to handle but I don’t have them any more
Somebody will be along soon to tell you their black bees roll over when you inspect so you pays your money and takes your choice.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Somebody will be along soon to tell you their black bees roll over when you inspect so you pays your money and takes your choice.

 

[madasafish]

Simple.
Obtain bees from a source who describes bees as "good tempered, calm on comb, non aggressive"

Ask for money back if they are not. (Trades Descriptions etc)

Unfortunately at this time, by the time you know whether they are not good tempered etc - early September - it will be a bit late..
Or if a local vendor, ask to see parent queen hive and how calm they are. (NOT a guarantee of success due to mating genes)

Ignore any source which does NOT describe bees similar to above.

So no, it's not quite that simple.

 

[Wilco]

Somebody will be along soon to tell you their black bees roll over when you inspect so you pays your money and takes your choice.

And somebody else will be along shortly after to tell you black bees are predisposed to foulbrood!

 

[Erichalfbee]

We all have our favourites. I don’t know why we fight about it.
Thank heavens we can keep what we like

 

[gmonag]

We all have our favourites. I don’t know why we fight about it.
Thank heavens we can keep what we like

You started it...
Interesting way to moderate.

verb

/ˈmɒdəreɪt/

1. 1.
   make or become less extreme, intense, rigorous, or violent.

 

[Ian123]

You started it...
Interesting way to moderate.

verb

/ˈmɒdəreɪt/

1. 1.
   make or become less extreme, intense, rigorous, or violent.

Slow day?
I’ll second the bs honey buckfasts and there normally very good for availability. In my area the next generation are normally consistent as well, but at that stage I replace with my own. Ian

 

[Erichalfbee]

You started it...
Interesting way to moderate.

verb

/ˈmɒdəreɪt/

1. 1.
   make or become less extreme, intense, rigorous, or violent.

Who is fighting? It was an observation

 

[Patrick1]

If you are requeening September is a good time to do it, less chance of rejection.

If they are really nasty I would split the hive and introduce the new queen to half the hive first, with the old queen in the second split above, leave that until your new queen is accepted then ditch the old queen after checking for queen cells, then unit.

 

[thorn]

It's a training issue.

 

[Erichalfbee]

It's a training issue.

How to train your dragon bees

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

And somebody else will be along shortly after to tell you black bees are predisposed to foulbrood!

Never heard that one, although, having quite a few AMM queens myself, I can tell you that they are susceptible to chalkbrood

 

[Swarm]

Maybe you've just been unlucky, me and my mate have been keeping Amm for years and never had a problem,

 

[Wilco]

Never heard that one, although, having quite a few AMM queens myself, I can tell you that they are susceptible to chalkbrood

Have I misunderstood Finman?

Likewise not had an issue other than chalkbrood.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Maybe you've just been unlucky, me and my mate have been keeping Amm for years and never had a problem,

I've noticed chalkbrood this season on one colony.
It was just a small amount and since then I can't see any more on the inspection board.

None of the colonys at work have it.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I've noticed chalkbrood this season on one colony.

Which queen?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Maybe you've just been unlucky, me and my mate have been keeping Amm for years and never had a problem,

Me and many other beekeepers who have observed the same? people with a lot more skill and experience than us and over a series of years not 'just one' It's something you accept and monitor.
Maybe it's just you and your mate who have been amazingly lucky?

 

[Curly green finger's]

Which queen?

Jgs

 

[Swarm]

Me and many other beekeepers who have observed the same? people with a lot more skill and experience than us and over a series of years not 'just one' It's something you accept and monitor.
Maybe it's just you and your mate who have been amazingly lucky?