Beesnaturally
Field Bee
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2016
- Messages
- 929
- Reaction score
- 489
- Location
- Kent
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 100
Following on from the Drone boosting thread: Drone producing colonies
...this thread relates specifically to drone boosting in the context of natural selection-based/genetic husbandry.
Such beekeeping relies on genetically-founded mite resistance (and/or tolerance), and therefore seeks to influence each generation from the best performers of the untreated colonies. And it seeks to spread the best genes through the male, as well as female side.
Such colonies may well be relying on mechanisms that involve drone cells. And, contrary-wise, adding more drone cells may make matters harder for them. Further, the extra drones needing to be fed, the hives will underproduce, and unfairly fall in the ratings (unless account is taken)
What I'm trying to say is that meddling in drone production inside those colonies seems like a poor idea.
My best solution is, I think, to have drone frames laid up by the best colonies, but then moved to indifferent colonies. This minimises disturbance of the desirable natural progression of things.
Does that seem reasonable? And, do any such concerns have echoes in orthodox beekeeping?
Links to drone-boosting outlines
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/a...7472/drone-mother-stock-selection-quality.pdf
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/a...459/drone-mother-colonies-number-position.pdf
...this thread relates specifically to drone boosting in the context of natural selection-based/genetic husbandry.
Such beekeeping relies on genetically-founded mite resistance (and/or tolerance), and therefore seeks to influence each generation from the best performers of the untreated colonies. And it seeks to spread the best genes through the male, as well as female side.
Such colonies may well be relying on mechanisms that involve drone cells. And, contrary-wise, adding more drone cells may make matters harder for them. Further, the extra drones needing to be fed, the hives will underproduce, and unfairly fall in the ratings (unless account is taken)
What I'm trying to say is that meddling in drone production inside those colonies seems like a poor idea.
My best solution is, I think, to have drone frames laid up by the best colonies, but then moved to indifferent colonies. This minimises disturbance of the desirable natural progression of things.
Does that seem reasonable? And, do any such concerns have echoes in orthodox beekeeping?
Links to drone-boosting outlines
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/a...7472/drone-mother-stock-selection-quality.pdf
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/a...459/drone-mother-colonies-number-position.pdf
