From: "huestis" <buzzybee@capital.net>
Date: Sat, 14 Apr 2001 13:19:42 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Shake Down Methods

HI,

> This has been the experience of others. Actually 50% may not even make it
> through the shakedown process. Some bees will be in too poor of health due
> to various factors that they won't be able to adjust to the rapid change and
> it is these bees that you don't want anyway. Survival of the fittest will be
> the key here so that you end up with bees able to move ahead. Another 50%
> may not make it through the first winter. You better be sold on this idea
> and determine ahead of time that you will be in it for the long haul if you
> want to get through the first couple years. A lot of work, but once done,
> should prove to be easier than now.

Been sold on the idea for a while. Just wasn't aware of the potential loss
on initial shake down. I'm starting to get used to tough losses hopefully
in 2-3 years that will all change as colonies regress.

> You will also have to think through your usual queen replacement practice.
> By regressing your bees down, the last thing you will want to do is buy
> queens. You have to start working with the queens you have and using the
> local stock to acclimate to your area for survivability. As Dee often says,
> follow the bees and work with their natural abilities, not against them.
>
> Read this to see how the numbers played out with the Lusby's.
>
> http://www.beesource.com/news/article/lusbyNZ.htm

True enough. I have read this many times in the last six months. Yet, my
bees are still on larger cell size and until regressed I have to play the
old game (no choice as I have forty queens coming). I do have an agressive
plan of attack. Once I have 10 colonies on 4.9mm I will start my breeding
program in addition to regressing colonies.

Clay