The queen cells were on plastic foundation or along the bottom of the frame. Many queen cells per frame. So we used wire queen cell protectors that we make and have a video on our channel showing you how. The Queen hatches inside of those protectors and then we catch them up and install the Virgin Queen in the queenless boxes. Without the protectors then you would only have one Virgin Queen out of all of those cells because the Virgin could run around and cut all the other ones down. We now graft queens and no longer use this method but it works if you have don't want to get into grafting or don't have that many boxes.
We use a single 18 ga staple hole. Anything more than that can drown the few bees in the box. Also watch the entrance. If they aren't keeping up with the syrup it can run out the front of the hive and start a robbing situation. We place a 3/4" shim under the back of the box so the syrup don't pool up on the bottom board and drown the bees and possibly the queen!
I've been doing the same. Those are great for plastic foundation where you can't cut the cells out as easy and don't want to waste a bunch of Queens.
Great video,I appreciate these kind of educational videos the best.
Thanks 😊 for the information 👍
Why not just put the Queen cells in the box and let the Queen hatch in the box
The queen cells were on plastic foundation or along the bottom of the frame. Many queen cells per frame. So we used wire queen cell protectors that we make and have a video on our channel showing you how. The Queen hatches inside of those protectors and then we catch them up and install the Virgin Queen in the queenless boxes. Without the protectors then you would only have one Virgin Queen out of all of those cells because the Virgin could run around and cut all the other ones down. We now graft queens and no longer use this method but it works if you have don't want to get into grafting or don't have that many boxes.
What size hole do you use for the top feeder bottles? I am just now using the 2 frame mating nucs and want another way to feed. Like this idea.
We use a single 18 ga staple hole. Anything more than that can drown the few bees in the box. Also watch the entrance. If they aren't keeping up with the syrup it can run out the front of the hive and start a robbing situation. We place a 3/4" shim under the back of the box so the syrup don't pool up on the bottom board and drown the bees and possibly the queen!
You got any mated queens for sale now? I need one yesterday.
Probably June