Carni's, NWC's, and Russians

[wayacoyote]

First of all, what is the difference between a NWC and a Carni?

Secondly, how do Russians, Carni's and NWC's compare for pre-flow population build-up?

Lastly, Anyone have Carni's and/or NWC's that they are breeding themselves and need buyers?

Waya

[cmq]

The difference in the NWC and a "run of the mill" Carnie is the selection. The difference will show up in he yard averages and overall consistency of the bee. Simply put you can get an outstanding bee in any race but selection raises the mean and narrows the variation.

The Russian, NWC, and Carnies all have a comprarable pre flow build up. I presently have them all, but will be migrating strictly to the NWC. This total change over will take appx 3 yrs.

I have NWC breeders and have queens for sale.

Email: ColdMtnQueens at AOL dot com

[ April 22, 2006, 07:33 AM: Message edited by: BEESURV ]

[Chef Isaac]

NWC is a breed by Due Colby as I understand it. NWC bees are more hygenic then the run of the mill carnis.

One good thing to note about carnis is that they come out in colder tempratures... usually around 40 to 42 degrees which is great in my climate and sure beet the Italianas.

Both NWC and Carnis are slower to cuild up in the Spring time and need some encouragement (feeding).

Both NWC and Carnis have a low rate of swarming versus Russians who, data supports this, that they do swarm a lot more and are known to always have queen cell cups ready.

I am all for the NWC race and also the carnis.

[Michael Bush]

>First of all, what is the difference between a NWC and a Carni?

As they said...

>Secondly, how do Russians, Carni's and NWC's compare for pre-flow population build-up?

They build up explosively when they do build up but they build up late. A little encouragment at the right time (some pollen patties) will usually get them going earlier but you probably don't want them to build up too early.

[Chef Isaac]

unless you want to split. In this area, you need to split in April due to our early flow

[wayacoyote]

Chef,
When is your "early" flow, date wise?
Waya

[Sundance]

I love the fact that NWC's do not build up early. The explosive part gets nuts though. They have me scrambling alot.

[Bill Ruble]

This is my first year with the Carnolians. It is also my first year with Minnisota Hyginic. From my very limited experience, here in Iowa, there is already a difference between these two races. The carnolians really do start the day a little cooler than the MH. however, as the day warms up, the MH are working MUCH harder than the carnolians. You can see it in the activity around the hive interance very easily. I have 12 nucs comming of the NWC soon and am really interested in seeing how they all compare.

[Fernhill]

>Both NWC and Carnis are slower to cuild up in the Spring time and need some encouragement (feeding).

My experience was quite different. The NWC's I bought from Strachan built up very rapidly this Spring. They had me scrambling for equipment. The overwintered with fewer reserves but came out strong. They are also the ones I see out first on colder days. I never see the Italians out until it hits 50+

I'm trying my first three M.Hygenic queens this year so I'll be interested to see what they do. I'm interested in others' experiences with them.
Mike

[Sundance]

My NWC's flew in the high 30F's and fairly active in the 40F's.

Depends on where you are I guess. Here pollen just started coming in a couple of days ago.

[Big Ed]

My experience mirrors Fernhill's. My first inspection of my NWC hives this year showed a small cluster, and 2 weeks later they were going gangbusters! I am scrambling to stay ahead of them now, but I guess I shouldn't complain. smile.gif

[Chef Isaac]

waya: early may

[wayacoyote]

Thanks Isaac and all.
Our flow starts mid April and I don't mind explosive buildup if I have the gear to manage them. the checkerboarding did help this year to get things ready before the flow. Without it, it is hard to do splits prior to the flow due to the flow being sooooo early here.

Waya