New Zealand Bees

[macow]

Hi,
I have the chance of getting hold of a colony of New Zealand bees and have heard both good and bad about them. I would be grateful to hear about any experience of this type of bee. Currently i have only kept the dark British (i know) bees. What do you think? Is it worth going for?
Any advice appreciated.
Marc

 

[grizzly]

Hi Macow
I guess that depends on what you are after in a bee, i introduced a NZ queen, have yet to see what her offspring are like, but i was after a docile and very chilled out bee.

I am told they are the best for temperament, and can also bring in the honey.

Bees are like a box of chocolates, you never know what youre gonna get.

 

[Poly Hive]

They were dismal in NE Scotland. In a milder clime they may be okay.

PH

 

[macow]

Hi
Many Thanks for your replies.
Some food for thought. Still in two minds. I would still like to hear of any more experiences/thoughts.

Many Thanks

Marc

 

[Trigger]

brown thorax

i would like them if thay have brown thorax, do thay.

 

[Trigger]

brown thorax

the queen must have brown thorax.

 

[BKF Admin]

Trigger is this what you are after ?

Click here to read about them

Bickerstaffes do an Italian that is very close.

 

[Polyanwood]

My NZ queens are ginger looking.... Haven't got any NZ bees yet, but am expecting them to look Italian ... fair coloured bees orange/brown/some yellow... but lighter than the current mongrels

 

[Polyanwood]

The picture is a good post admin... makes more sense to see them!

 

[Crg]

Hi,
I have the chance of getting hold of a colony of New Zealand bees and have heard both good and bad about them.

My first experiences with bees were with NZ bees. Mine were very docile, I worked them in shorts/t-shirt, and they gave me >100kg/hive/year. Some I kept as 2 queen systems and they gave me more.

My concern with people keeping them over here, is
a) it's quite a different climate and people mutter on about italian types eating more over winter, (I don't know if that's true).
b) NZ hasn't had a lot of disease. When I kept bees in NZ there wasn't even varroa there.

So with the disease issue you might find other breeds/strains better, but at least one person I know in London does very well with NZ types.

 

[i.b.nuttz]

Park beekeeping sells NZ queens

 

[Crg]

the queen must have brown thorax.

Colour is not linked to traits.

 

[Trigger]

Traits

Are you shore about that.
have you had tham

Admin it looks good

I will big money for tham £100 +

MUST SEE FIRST

 

[macow]

Thanks for all the advice everyone.
All the Best

Marc

 

[burch]

ive been offered a nuc of new zealand bees £115 for the nuc.