When is queenless...actually queenless?

[B+.]

. most bees on intro cage wins... bit like a Tory membership election!

You're suggesting that we put Tories in a cage and let bees decide? Now thats something I'd like to see! ;-)

 

[For want of a better word]

You're suggesting that we put Tories in a cage and let bees decide? Now thats something I'd like to see! ;-)

Possibly a better way forward than half cocked referendums!

Yeghes da

 

[Tremyfro]

I'm putting her in today..

 

[B+.]

I'm putting her in today..

Good Luck Tremyfro. I hope it goes well

 

[charlievictorbravo]

Confused of Torpoint

Well, I've read this thread twice and I'm as confused as the original poster and most contributors are. The only possible explanation was in a contribution by JMB who said that the bees could try to make a queen cell out of a laying worker's egg, which was said to be doomed to failure by B+. Has this ever happened in anybody's experience or is it just a theoretical possibility?

Other than that possibility, I'm as confused as Tremy as to where eggs for the the QCs could come from.

I've invested so much time reading and re-reading this thread that I need to know the outcome/explanation, Tremyflo, when you've got one.

CVB

ps the answer to Icanhopit's question about the square root of -1, the answer is i or was when I did that stuff 55 years ago.

 

[For want of a better word]

Well, I've read this thread twice and I'm as confused as the original poster and most contributors are. The only possible explanation was in a contribution by JMB who said that the bees could try to make a queen cell out of a laying worker's egg, which was said to be doomed to failure by B+. Has this ever happened in anybody's experience or is it just a theoretical possibility?

Other than that possibility, I'm as confused as Tremy as to where eggs for the the QCs could come from.

I've invested so much time reading and re-reading this thread that I need to know the outcome/explanation, Tremyflo, when you've got one.

CVB


Maths is so much fun!
and negative numbers is a whole new world......

Yeghes da

ps the answer to Icanhopit's question about the square root of -1, the answer is i or was when I did that stuff 55 years ago.

but does i +1 = zero or infinity?

 

[Tremyfro]

Well, I've read this thread twice and I'm as confused as the original poster and most contributors are. The only possible explanation was in a contribution by JMB who said that the bees could try to make a queen cell out of a laying worker's egg, which was said to be doomed to failure by B+. Has this ever happened in anybody's experience or is it just a theoretical possibility?

Other than that possibility, I'm as confused as Tremy as to where eggs for the the QCs could come from.

I've invested so much time reading and re-reading this thread that I need to know the outcome/explanation, Tremyflo, when you've got one.

CVB

ps the answer to Icanhopit's question about the square root of -1, the answer is i or was when I did that stuff 55 years ago.

It is confusing..even trying to explain it was confusing. It may be that there is a young queen in there.....but then why would the bees continue to make queen cells? The fact that the bees have been back filling the brood comb...to me It indicates that they don't have a queen.
For better or worse...I have put the waiting queen in the colony now. We will be having a look on Monday...if weather permits.

 

[B+.]

The fact that the bees have been back filling the brood comb...to me It indicates that they don't have a queen.
.

I'm not sure that you can take this as proof Tremyfro. All it really shows is that they have nectar coming in and they need somewhere to put it. The cells don't contain an egg so they use it as food storage.
As you say, you're committed now so it is in the lap of the gods: Good luck!

 

[Tremyfro]

I'm not sure that you can take this as proof Tremyfro. All it really shows is that they have nectar coming in and they need somewhere to put it. The cells don't contain an egg so they use it as food storage.
As you say, you're committed now so it is in the lap of the gods: Good luck!

Well...I know it's not proof...but in general...if there was a queen in there they would be keeping at least some patches of cells polished in readiness for her laying. They have plenty of room in the super for nectar. Ha ha...now they will have to move it if this queen is excepted. I'm hoping to see at least some eggs on Monday.

 

[For want of a better word]

Well...I know it's not proof...but in general...if there was a queen in there they would be keeping at least some patches of cells polished in readiness for her laying. They have plenty of room in the super for nectar. Ha ha...now they will have to move it if this queen is excepted. I'm hoping to see at least some eggs on Monday.

Our chickens have just come back into lay after their seasonal molt, so we hope to see some eggs too... marginally easier to spot.. perhaps you could try keeping some of them too?

Yeghes da

 

[Tremyfro]

Our chickens have just come back into lay after their seasonal molt, so we hope to see some eggs too... marginally easier to spot.. perhaps you could try keeping some of them too?

Yeghes da

How do you manage to make your chickens lay their eggs in the cells?

We have a couple of silkies...the sole survivors of the marauding dogs around here! They have been moulting and have been laying again for the past week. The eggs have huge yolks and only a little white in them.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Silkies .....aaaarrgh!
I used to have some.
They were forever broody!!!

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Silkies .....aaaarrgh!
I used to have some.
They were forever broody!!!

We find the run of the mill bantams are miles ahead in the going broody stakes Old Betty used to love her barrow of straw.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Ah sweet
I have a Wyandotte and four Sumatras and they are nearly as bad. They spend a lot of time in the sin bin.

 

[Tremyfro]

Ours haven't been too bad. We shut them out of the Omlett if they broody. They seem to get over it more quickly. We are getting eggs ATM. The weather forecast is better for tomorrow so I think we will do an early inspection of the bees. Monday is saying rain...again!

 

[For want of a better word]

Nothing is anywhere near our NATIVE Plymouths for egg production!!
Forget the Lost And Silly Imports!

Yeghes da

 

[Tremyfro]

Nothing is anywhere near our NATIVE Plymouths for egg production!!
Forget the Lost And Silly Imports!

Yeghes da

My favourite hens are Rhode Island Reds...but my OH wanted the silkies. Usually I save some from the egg farms but the last of them have died. I expect we will get some more in a while. It's good to see them flourish and enjoy life even if they don't live that long.
Anyway...update on this queenless or not colony.
They WERE queenless and accepted the queen we had purchased. She is laying and seems happy in there.
So a Happy Ending.
The nectar storing in the brood frames and the endless attempts to make a queen were all pointers. No laying workers. I'm a happy beekeeper.

 

[B+.]

I'm a happy beekeeper.

shhhh....don't jinks things

 

[Tremyfro]

Ha ha....yes I will try not to. It was good to see her waltzing across the frame though. She looked a lot fatter and longer...is this normal when they start laying?

 

[B+.]

Ha ha....yes I will try not to. It was good to see her waltzing across the frame though. She looked a lot fatter and longer...is this normal when they start laying?

Yes. They often appear fatter once they're in lay. Is she marked by any chance?