Supercedure?

[psafloyd]

First inspection of my three hives. Two doing very well, one that was always a bit weak not doing great.
Can't find the queen, very few bees, maybe three or four seams.
Very little brood, some capped, some drone, no larvae but for a few about to be capped. Very few stores left, but theyve had fondant since November. I know, I should have combined them.
However, just back from the centre is a great big queen cell in the top left quarter of a frame. It is a biggie and has a larva in it full of royal jelly. Looks to me like a supercedure cell like http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-1743047/stock-photo-supersedure-cell.
I could believe they might wish to swarm if they were box bound, but they have loads of space.
I think this queen has never really been firing on all cylinders and I can believe they might want to get shot of her. But then she could try and swarm As a last ditch attempt to stay in control, I suppose.
I hope they're just making a new queen, but will look again on Friday and see what is going on.

 

[oliver90owner]

If supercedure due to a failing queen, I wish you luck. May was NBG for mating last year, so April might not be the best time for it this year. At best, there seems that there will be drones around and at worst it will be too cold - who knows. You need a large slice of luck, this early.

Regards, RAB

 

[Silly Bee]

He might be lucky down South. Had a few Drones land on me today while I was planting spuds/tatting about/watching bees.

 

[psafloyd]

Thanks, RAB/Silly Bee. You're right, very early for a mating flight, however, my main hive has quite a few drones in it with more coming soon. in fact, this is a very strong colony, full of bees. So there must be a chance others' hives will have drones too.
We'll see how it goes.

 

[oliver90owner]

Drones is not the issue. Weather is.

 

[winmag270]

would it not be a better idea to find the old queen, rub her and the QC out and combine with one of your other colonies, then split later in the year as part of your swarm control?

just a thought if they are weak and it's 50/50 whether you'd get a new queen sucessfully mated this early....

or, could you obtain a mated / laying queen to introduce?

 

[Skyhook]

If supercedure due to a failing queen, I wish you luck. May was NBG for mating last year, so April might not be the best time for it this year. At best, there seems that there will be drones around and at worst it will be too cold - who knows. You need a large slice of luck, this early.

Regards, RAB

May, and indeed June and July were NBG for mating last year- April, however, was fantastic, and those who bet on the 10:1 outsider cleaned up, unlike those who backed the favourite.

As the song says, it only goes to show that you never can tell...

 

[Hivemaker.]

May, and indeed June and July were NBG for mating last year-

Depending on location of course.

 

[Midland Beek]

If this weak colony is worth bothering with you might want to give strength from your stronger colonies, as in a little sealed brood.

 

[BILL.HEARD]

No drones around this way as yet, they would have to be around two weeks old before they were good for mating anyway, This early I would give much less than 50/50.

 

[Silly Bee]

Drones is not the issue. Weather is.

I would have thought both, but there you go.

 

[psafloyd]

Drones is not the issue. Weather is.

Quite. Well said.

Thanks, RAB.

 

[psafloyd]

would it not be a better idea to find the old queen, rub her and the QC out and combine with one of your other colonies, then split later in the year as part of your swarm control?

just a thought if they are weak and it's 50/50 whether you'd get a new queen sucessfully mated this early....

or, could you obtain a mated / laying queen to introduce?

It's one of the options. Will have a look again at the end of the week and reassess. If warmer, will go through it thoroughly.

 

[psafloyd]

If this weak colony is worth bothering with you might want to give strength from your stronger colonies, as in a little sealed brood.

Aye, have considered it. Thanks for all your input. Very helpful in considering the options.

 

[psafloyd]

And so, when I went into the brood today, the queen cell had been partially torn down and was empty.