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Posted: 6/28/2017 1:18:44 PM EDT
[#1]
Hoping you're not posting cuz you're busy getting them in order.
I'm nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. 
Let us know when you get them settled. |
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Posted: 6/28/2017 1:19:31 PM EDT
[#2]
New page
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Posted: 6/28/2017 1:28:20 PM EDT
[#3]
The swarm box is slowly moving in. Still lots of fighting.
It appears the hive they came from is enduring a robbing frenzy, so I tossed an entrance reducer on. Two innocent packages of Italians sure can blow up in your face! |
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Posted: 6/28/2017 1:54:59 PM EDT
[#4]
Wow, that was fun!
Now that I'm not getting attacked and stung by an apriary gone insane... Is it safe to assume the queen is in the new hive if the vast majority of bees have gone in through the front door? Should I put a feeder in it when I move it to its place? I'm not sure that's a good plan with the robbing. Is an entrance reducer my best bet to stop the current robbing on the hive that cast the swarm? Any thoughts on why a brawl broke out in the midst of the swarm I was capturing? Thanks for all the advice! You guys are awesome! |
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Posted: 6/28/2017 4:47:50 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cuttingedge]
[#5]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By BustinCaps:
Wow, that was fun! Now that I'm not getting attacked and stung by an apriary gone insane... Is it safe to assume the queen is in the new hive if the vast majority of bees have gone in through the front door? Should I put a feeder in it when I move it to its place? I'm not sure that's a good plan with the robbing. Is an entrance reducer my best bet to stop the current robbing on the hive that cast the swarm? Any thoughts on why a brawl broke out in the midst of the swarm I was capturing? Thanks for all the advice! You guys are awesome! |
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Posted: 6/28/2017 8:53:18 PM EDT
[#6]
I wonder if maybe the old hive was experiencing some robbing already...which would explain why they were pissy.
I don't know that. Just a guess. But they were a big hive, and they were queenright, it seems....so...if they were under a lot of pressure maybe that's why they were pissy? Anyhow, I'd reduce not only the new hive to its smallest setting, but I'd reduce the hive they came from, too. Watch your other hives. |
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Posted: 6/29/2017 10:10:05 PM EDT
[#7]
Our presentation went well. My friend (Queen Breeder) and I decided to come up with a "dumbed down" method of rearing a few queens for those that don't want to make a lot of queens. This method does not use the Cloake board and is geared more toward the person trying to Rear just a few queens (5-10).
Hopefully these images are readable but as I stated earlier, I will scan these as well as my notes from last year on how to use the Cloake board method which is a geared toward rearing approximately 40-45 queens per graft. Any questions, fire away... 
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Posted: 6/29/2017 10:59:30 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Martlet:
It's probably too late, but I have a tendency to ask for advice after I do something. I did a hive inspection yesterday, and one of my hives had 4 or 5 queen cells in the top box that had larva in them and would have been capped before I went back in. Today I went back in, grabbed the queen and a frame of brood, added a frame of honey and two empty frames, and stuck them in a nuc. I shook a frame or two into the nuc with the queen and buttoned it up. I have no idea how many bees stayed. I assumed the girls were getting ready to take a trip, so I beat them to it. Dumb? Next step? |
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Posted: 6/29/2017 11:06:28 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Our presentation went well. My friend (Queen Breeder) and I decided to come up with a "dumbed down" method of rearing a few queens for those that don't want to make a lot of queens. This method does not use the Cloake board and is geared more toward the person trying to Rear just a few queens (5-10). Hopefully these images are readable but as I stated earlier, I will scan these as well as my notes from last year on how to use the Cloake board method which is a geared toward rearing approximately 40-45 queens per graft. Any questions, fire away... https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294057/image-241709.jpg https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294057/image-241710.jpg |
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Posted: 6/29/2017 11:10:46 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
I just built a cloake board this week. I plan on gettng the nicot box installed this weekend. Plans don't always go as expected. |
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Posted: 6/29/2017 11:15:24 PM EDT
[#11]
That's not encouraging!!! Lol. Everyone around here grafts also except 1 of the better queen rearers. They tell me the same thing. Interesting, since you have done both and chosen.
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Posted: 6/29/2017 11:30:35 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
That's not encouraging!!! Lol. Everyone around here grafts also except 1 of the better queen rearers. They tell me the same thing. Interesting, since you have done both and chosen. |
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Posted: 7/4/2017 1:16:42 PM EDT
[#13]
An Arfcommer asks about killing garden pests without harming bees.
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KY, USA
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Posted: 7/4/2017 1:50:51 PM EDT
[#14]
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Posted: 7/4/2017 1:53:12 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By scorpionmain:
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19598927_10213546630249477_6156023796543547319_n.jpg?oh=3764fd1e699d66f501d9a3b1e3ab47d7&oe=59CE44C5 
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Posted: 7/4/2017 7:11:39 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cuttingedge]
[#16]
Some photos from our open hive meeting/ queen rearing demonstrations.
 
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Posted: 7/4/2017 7:16:29 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cuttingedge]
[#17]
More
 
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Posted: 7/4/2017 7:20:53 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cuttingedge]
[#18]
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Posted: 7/4/2017 7:26:30 PM EDT
[#19]
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Posted: 7/4/2017 7:34:17 PM EDT
[#20]
 
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Posted: 7/4/2017 7:53:10 PM EDT
[#21]
Where was that?
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Posted: 7/4/2017 8:02:20 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By scorpionmain:
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19598927_10213546630249477_6156023796543547319_n.jpg?oh=3764fd1e699d66f501d9a3b1e3ab47d7&oe=59CE44C5 |
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Posted: 7/4/2017 8:05:45 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Martlet:
Where was that? 
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Posted: 7/4/2017 8:31:59 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
At my house |
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Posted: 7/4/2017 9:23:50 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Martlet:
Missed my invite. 
I don't know where you are located but if you feel like making a day trip next season, I will be happy to show you the ins and outs of rearing queens. I will even send you home with some mated queens!!! |
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KY, USA
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Posted: 7/4/2017 9:49:56 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Very nice! How many frames do you use in your honey supers? 10 frames |
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KY, USA
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Posted: 7/4/2017 9:51:25 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
Originally Posted By scorpionmain:
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19598927_10213546630249477_6156023796543547319_n.jpg?oh=3764fd1e699d66f501d9a3b1e3ab47d7&oe=59CE44C5 |
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Posted: 7/4/2017 9:53:48 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By scorpionmain:
Thanks 10 frames |
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Posted: 7/4/2017 10:32:06 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Have you ever tried 9 frames? That's what we do. They draw put the comb thicker which makes it much easier to uncap! |
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Posted: 7/4/2017 10:40:46 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
9 frames is the only way to go... Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
Originally Posted By cuttingedge:
Have you ever tried 9 frames? That's what we do. They draw put the comb thicker which makes it much easier to uncap!
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KY, USA
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Posted: 7/5/2017 6:36:40 AM EDT
[Last Edit: scorpionmain]
[#31]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Have you ever tried 9 frames? That's what we do. They draw put the comb thicker which makes it much easier to uncap! Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Originally Posted By scorpionmain:
Thanks 10 frames Didn't like it. When uncapping with a hot knife all that thickness falls into the uncapping bin to make more work later. I rather take a thin sheet of wax off than to try to recover lost honey during the uncapping process. Every drop counts. |
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Posted: 7/5/2017 11:31:34 AM EDT
[Last Edit: DUX4LIFE]
[#32]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Agreed! It is important to space them evenly to get the full benefit. Some people use frame spacers. We just eyeball it |
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KY, USA
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Posted: 7/5/2017 12:14:54 PM EDT
[#33]
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Posted: 7/5/2017 7:16:22 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294057/image-238270.jpghttps://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294057/image-246185.jpg And that's a nice looking queen. Is she one of yours? |
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Posted: 7/5/2017 7:18:01 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
When I build the supers Mine get the metal frame rests for 9 frames right away. All of the others get the standard 10 frame rest. life is easier this way. They seem not to put as much propolis on them also, as I recall. Bought those spacers by the boxfull. |
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Posted: 7/5/2017 7:18:15 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By scorpionmain:
https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/19748438_10213563066660377_7643869019065955048_n.jpg?oh=0be94bc2af1c9983d07a5a313089f108&oe=5A0AEA3E |
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Posted: 7/5/2017 8:01:06 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
Awesome shots, and looks like a great day! And that's a nice looking queen. Is she one of yours?
Yes that is one of my breeder queens. She is the one that I have been using the most. |
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Posted: 7/5/2017 9:06:06 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Martlet]
[#38]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
It was on the last page
I don't know where you are located but if you feel like making a day trip next season, I will be happy to show you the ins and outs of rearing queens. I will even send you home with some mated queens!!! I'm hoping one of my hives is making a queen now. If not, I'll be buying. |
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Posted: 7/13/2017 7:50:39 PM EDT
[#39]
Time to make some Nucs
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Posted: 7/13/2017 9:33:56 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
Time to make some Nucs https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294057/image-253222.jpg 
J/K 
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Posted: 7/13/2017 9:37:38 PM EDT
[#41]
I will take some pics tomorrow when I give them water. I got 5 queens from Michael Palmer in Vermont and 15 Buckfast queens from Canada. Tomorrow is going to be busy
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Posted: 7/15/2017 6:38:42 PM EDT
[#42]
I forgot to take pics of all of the queens as yesterday was very crazy.
I have four left that someone is supposed to pick-up tomorrow so I just snapped a few pics for you Kitties. Here are some Buckfast Queens from Fergusons Apiaries in Canada.  
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Posted: 7/16/2017 7:05:58 PM EDT
[Last Edit: cuttingedge]
[#43]
So the guy that was supposed to come pick-up the Buckfast queens backed out
I just made four more splits and will introduce these tomorrow. We are still in a good nectar flow right now but just to our south, they are seeing the dearth start. I am going to have to feed heavily to help these colonies build up. What is the most effective way of feeding multiple colonies? Right now I am at about 50 and don't have that many feeders. I have about 25 frame feeders, 15 boardman feeders and 1 top feeder. Maybe @DUX4LIFE can chime in and help me. I am contemplating open feeding 10 gallons at a time in 5 gallon bucket feeders. Any help/ suggestions would be appreciated . |
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Posted: 7/17/2017 10:54:54 PM EDT
[Last Edit: DUX4LIFE]
[#44]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
So the guy that was supposed to come pick-up the Buckfast queens backed out
I just made four more splits and will introduce these tomorrow. We are still in a good nectar flow right now but just to our south, they are seeing the dearth start. I am going to have to feed heavily to help these colonies build up. What is the most effective way of feeding multiple colonies? Right now I am at about 50 and don't have that many feeders. I have about 25 frame feeders, 15 boardman feeders and 1 top feeder. Maybe @DUX4LIFE can chime in and help me. I am contemplating open feeding 10 gallons at a time in 5 gallon bucket feeders. Any help/ suggestions would be appreciated . 2 of our locals talked at the meeting and I got to see his flat bed truck with feeder set up. He uses a trash pump with a gate valve as the pressure release. I can make a drawing but basically it pumps out of the bottom and back into the top. this recirculates the mixture so you can dump sugar into the tote and dissolve it into a solution. He had a "t" with a gate valve in this set up. If he partially closed the gate valve it would divert some of the mixture to the "T". This "T" was plumbed down to a garden hose and gas pump nozzle. he could then fill his hives within 100' of the truck as that is how long the garden hose is.  Attached File |
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Posted: 7/17/2017 11:21:38 PM EDT
[#45]
I am feeding with a 3 gallon bucket out of the tote into the hive top feeders. I can dump about 3 gallons into a bucket and into each feeder in about 1 minute.
I managed to start setting up the new nuc yard this spring. I will get some pics up later this week but I think it will allow me to run 100 nucs and maybe 50+ 8 frame starter boxes efficiently. I plan to have 4 cell builder/finisher colonies in the midst of them. I am also thinking of adding 1 frame of drone brood to each hive I have out in this area. Keep in mind that my nuc yard is in the center and I have 30+ hives within a few miles of this yard surrounding it. The layout will allow me to driver down a straight line and feed/tend. I will also be able to number each box and keep a decent record. I seem to do better when I am organized. Kitty says she is the queen of organization...My mentor has a 6 sided block of wood with a different "hive status" on each side. He hangs one on each of his queen castles. He can tell at a glance if the box has a queen, needs a queen, has a cell, is ready to go, ect. |
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Posted: 7/17/2017 11:24:34 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
I forgot to take pics of all of the queens as yesterday was very crazy. I have four left that someone is supposed to pick-up tomorrow so I just snapped a few pics for you Kitties. Here are some Buckfast Queens from Fergusons Apiaries in Canada. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294057/image-254763.jpghttps://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/294057/image-254762.jpg It may be stupid, but when I get a queen in a cage with no attendants, I start to worry a little. 
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Posted: 7/17/2017 11:25:13 PM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By cuttingedge:
So the guy that was supposed to come pick-up the Buckfast queens backed out
I just made four more splits and will introduce these tomorrow. We are still in a good nectar flow right now but just to our south, they are seeing the dearth start. I am going to have to feed heavily to help these colonies build up. What is the most effective way of feeding multiple colonies? Right now I am at about 50 and don't have that many feeders. I have about 25 frame feeders, 15 boardman feeders and 1 top feeder. Maybe @DUX4LIFE can chime in and help me. I am contemplating open feeding 10 gallons at a time in 5 gallon bucket feeders. Any help/ suggestions would be appreciated . I don't have an answer to any sort of open feeding. 
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Posted: 7/17/2017 11:27:55 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By DUX4LIFE:
I am feeding with a 3 gallon bucket out of the tote into the hive top feeders. I can dump about 3 gallons into a bucket and into each feeder in about 1 minute. I managed to start setting up the new nuc yard this spring. I will get some pics up later this week but I think it will allow me to run 100 nucs and maybe 50+ 8 frame starter boxes efficiently. I plan to have 4 cell builder/finisher colonies in the midst of them. I am also thinking of adding 1 frame of drone brood to each hive I have out in this area. Keep in mind that my nuc yard is in the center and I have 30+ hives within a few miles of this yard surrounding it. The layout will allow me to driver down a straight line and feed/tend. I will also be able to number each box and keep a decent record. I seem to do better when I am organized. Kitty says she is the queen of organization...My mentor has a 6 sided block of wood with a different "hive status" on each side. He hangs one on each of his queen castles. He can tell at a glance if the box has a queen, needs a queen, has a cell, is ready to go, ect. it sounds like freaking genius to me. But the keeping of the records...in case something happens to make the block be in a different position...how does he manage that? AND...the keeping of the records...would be useful if something goes wrong. Knowing what you did is a help when it's time to know what you should do differently. I ain't sayin' I do it right every time. But I do recognize the need to keep the records. |
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Posted: 7/18/2017 1:38:01 AM EDT
[Last Edit: FrankSymptoms]
[#49]
Quote HistoryOriginally Posted By Kitties-with-Sigs:
Well at least they ship with attendants. That's a positive in my view. It may be stupid, but when I get a queen in a cage with no attendants, I start to worry a little. |
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Posted: 7/18/2017 7:28:40 AM EDT
[#50]
Here is what 3000 lbs of corn syrup looks like.
 Attached FileHere is the start of the new nuc yard.  Attached FileIt is about 50' wide and goes all the way back to the trees.  Attached File |
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