What queen to get.

[Werbo]

Hi all I'm considering getting a queen and noticed that the British black queen is more expensive than the Buckfast and Carnica queens.

Dose anyone keep British black and if so what are they like? Also what do you lot suggest?

Or should I just get a mixed queen?


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[Beefriendly]

Hi all I'm considering getting a queen and noticed that the British black queen is more expensive than the Buckfast and Carnica queens.

Dose anyone keep British black and if so what are they like? Also what do you lot suggest?

Or should I just get a mixed queen?

Can of worms opening.
I have all three. Surprised the UK Amm's are more expensive. You can get them Galtree(?) project in NI. Nice bees to work with. I'd recommend them if just dipping you toes. Buckfast and Carniolan queens are usually very fecund and need lots of laying room (double brood). Maybe not the wisest choice if learning the ropes.
All three are very gentle bees to work with. Local mongrel bees can be variable, some regions have bad tempered little barstewards, some not.

I suspect you are now about to be bombarded with more advice than you can shake a stick at

 

[justsmith]

what i would wish i could do is ask to see a video/with my own eyes the mother of the queen i was getting from them to see what they are like.


might as well just break the can of worms and let them all out

 

[Plenty of honey]

Can of worms opening.
http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/attachment.php?attachmentid=14254&stc=1&d=1492197118

Say no more!!

 

[Werbo]

Oh good the more people's opinions the better in my opinion.


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[wightbees]

You say, considering getting a queen! Have you managed all this time with out one

 

[Hachi]

Buy them from HM off here, awesome quality, gentle and lay well. Can't go wrong.

 

[Quis Custodiet]

Buy them from HM off here, awesome quality, gentle and lay well. Can't go wrong.

I second that.

 

[Brigsy]

Third.

 

[Werbo]

You say, considering getting a queen! Have you managed all this time with out one

No just starting off a new hive and wondering what to go for.


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[REDWOOD]

with no hives you will need to get bees too

 

[For want of a better word]

Hi all I'm considering getting a queen and noticed that the British black queen is more expensive than the Buckfast and Carnica queens.

Dose anyone keep British black and if so what are they like? Also what do you lot suggest?

Or should I just get a mixed queen?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Look at BIBBA web pages for informed information on Native Bees ( Amm)

Find out which bees are best for your area by asking ( and joining) your local
BKA... and keep them!

IoM Native queens are available and nearer to you than Ireland.... I did buy some Carnioloann queens from a chap ( Mr Brown) in the Wirral back in the last century... they unfortunately crossed out with the South Devon Locals and turned very aggressive!!

Yeghes da

 

[mbc]

QUOTE=icanhopit;584610]Look at BIBBA web pages for informed information on Native Bees ( Amm)

Find out which bees are best for your area by asking ( and joining) your local
BKA... and keep them!

IoM Native queens are available and nearer to you than Ireland.... I did buy some Carnioloann queens from a chap ( Mr Brown) in the Wirral back in the last century... they unfortunately crossed out with the South Devon Locals and turned very aggressive!!

Yeghes da[/QUOTE]



Find out who's successful at your local association and do likewise, you might be lucky and be offered a reasonably priced nuc from their bees, otherwise just ask where they got their bees from and see if you can also source some from there.
Iirc it's a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to natives up there.

 

[enrico]

No just starting off a new hive and wondering what to go for.


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That sounds weird. Do they not have a queen. Are you doing a split?
Not quite sure what you are doing. I use my own queens that the bees make!
E

 

[Werbo]

I'm starting to lean towards British black after some research.


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[alfazer]

Remember that the genetics of her offspring will depend on whether she was mated in a controlled area or just random encounters with whoever the local drones happened to be.

 

[coffindodger]

My queen is pure black. Her offspring mostly black. They are aggressive even when you're not close to the hives, are followers for long distances and will trap you (go into garage and they wait outside for a very long time). As said drone is important; just choosing a 'known good' queen doesn't give a 100% guarantee that you've got what you wanted.

 

[For want of a better word]

My queen is pure black. Her offspring mostly black. They are aggressive even when you're not close to the hives, are followers for long distances and will trap you (go into garage and they wait outside for a very long time). As said drone is important; just choosing a 'known good' queen doesn't give a 100% guarantee that you've got what you wanted.

NOT then in my apiary a breeder queen!

Yeghes da