Small scale queen rearing

[GuyNir]

I’m planning on trying rearing my own queens this year. I only need ~12 QC’s.
I’m planning on using a double brood nuc, so 12 frames full of bees. I’m thinking to ‘lock’ the queen on a frame using a QE frame trap for a week, then removing the queen with the frame she’s on (making the colony Q-), after 24hr introducing the grafts, then after 24-48hr placing the queen back in the colony below a QE, allowing them to finish the cells off above.

1. Are 10-12 frames full of young bees enough to raise ~12 good quality queens?
2. Anyone see any issue with trapping the queen on a frame for a week, removing her for ~ 48hr, then re-introducing back?

Any help appreciated.

 

[jeff33]

Where are you going to put her for 48h?

 

[GuyNir]

Where are you going to put her for 48h?

Smaller nuc. The frame she’s on + another brood frame + frame of foundation + 1/2 frames of resources.

 

[jeff33]

Personally I wouldn't be happy locking her for a week. Could you you just restrict her to the top box with a QX so that she is easier to find and take her out in the morning before grafting? The rest of the plan seems OK.

 

[eltalia]

I've yet to see *any* problem with managed caging of matrons, such
is regular practice for us in apiary management over many scenarios.
What I am struggling with in your model is in knowing it is often great
pains are gone to in setting a viable breeder/raiser/archive what
advantage - if any - is there in alternating the matriarchal status?
Where bees are encouraged to nuture as they see queenright is
not in place why would one then send mixed signals?
You own experience such is of little consequence?

Bill