Is it safe to let the queen out?

[drex]

If a plastic cage is sandwiched between two frames of brood or food, it's only the sides of the cage that are exposed, so the bees inside the cage are thus protected. It will be warmer compared to on the hive floor too and where the bees would expect to find her.

I too prefer the plastic cage. However I have hammered short nails on opposite sides of the wooden block in my Butler cages, so it can be suspended between two frames of brood, rather than just bunging it in on the floor.

 

[Finman]

Floor is wrong place to the queen. It is better to put between 2 brood frames.

 

[Swarm]

The bees have clearly sensed my impatience and are having none of it!
Still clustered around the queen's cage.

As Jonathan points out, they will cluster over the cage. Try to move them gently with your finger, if they move easily she should be ok. If you can't shift them, leave her another day.

 

[mickbees23]

I cage the queen and rest it on top of the frames, if the bees mob her I take her away, if they start fanning and feeding her I release her with a bit of smoke on top of the frames. Never lost one yet. No need to get too complicated

Cheers, Mick.