Differences in Bee Races/Varieties

[Denon Carpenter]

I was trying to do a little research of my own this year and started 4 new packages in the spring at the same time, fed the same, etc... I have buckfast, minnesota hygenic, new world carniolan, and russian.

Anyone have any experience with these types I know some keep a smaller winter cluster than others. The new world carniolians have been my best performers in southwestern pennsylvania. They have been the gentlest have the largest, healthiest population, and have more than double the honey production of any other variety.

What I am wondering is if I need to make a smaller winter brood area for any of these varieties. I use all 8 frame medium boxes. Currently all have 3 mediums as a brood chamber. Do you think i should run 3 medium boxes as a winter brood chamber for all 4 types?

[bnatural]

I overwintered NWC, Buckfast and Russians last year. Russians were the most frugal by far, followed by NWC then Buckfast. This year I also have MH, which I expect will perform like the BF, since they are both basically Italians. The BF ate up everything in three 10-frame deeps by spring, although not all deeps were completely full going into winter, probably being more like 8-frames.

I would treat them all the same using the worst case (Buckfast), if this is your first year. See how they perform, and then adjust going forward. In other words, go conservative and give them the most stores. What they don't eat they will have available for next year.

Bill

[Parke County Queen]

The new world carniolians have been my best performers in southwestern pennsylvania. They have been the gentlest have the largest, healthiest population, and have more than double the honey production of any other variety.

That is very interesting, but I wonder - what if it is just a difference in the individual queens? I guess you would have to do the study a few years in a row with different queens for each race.

This is the first year I have tried Carnolians. They haven't overwintered yet, but so far I like their gentleness.

[bnatural]

That is very interesting, but I wonder - what if it is just a difference in the individual queens?

I'd say quality of individual queen trumps everything, followed by quality of queens from a specific queen supplier (even variable by year or season), followed by the breed.

Bill

[splank]

where did you get the packages of buckfast, minnesota hygienic, new world carnolian, and russian? i was wondering cause i haven't seen breeders who sell those packages.

thanks

[Denon Carpenter]

Cedar Glenn Bees of Washington. My bees were healthy and I am happy with them, but there were some order problems. Not sure if I would buy from them again or not.

[StevenG]

When I first started in bees 30 years ago, I bought six hives from a local farmer whose health got to the point he couldn't keep his bees any longer. I had two myself, the Starline hybrids... loved those gentle bees!

So the first time I went out to work my six new hives, I discovered one of them was as mean as the proverbial junk yard dog! Those bees launched themselves at me, and chased me a good 50 yards. I swore up and down I was going to requeen them asap! However, it was close to harvest time, and doggone if those junk yard bees didn't outproduce all my other hives!

Last year my best producer was the meanest. It was the only hive I'd wear gloves to work. I just wear jeans, long sleeved white shirt, veil, smoke and bare hands usually, but with them, gloves.

This year I don't have any "mean" or "hot" hives, and will be pulling honey in another two weeks. We'll see what happens, but the crop isn't looking good.

Regards,
Steven

[Joseph Clemens]

It's not Carnolian, it's Carniolan. :scratch:

[bnatural]

Having run a number of different breeds/strains/varieties, I can make two generalizations:

1) Russians are very frugal;

2) Italians are robbers (maybe Mafia types?);

3) Italians keep making brood and growing, regardless of what is coming in, unlike NWC and Russians, which cut back when there is no flow. Which might contribute to #2 - they take it because they need it.

Okay, that's three generalizations.

Bill

[karu]

Russians are very frugal;
Italians are robbers (maybe Mafia types?); :no:
:applause:

How frugal are russians ?
Here is my puzzle: In 3 mediums I have 1.5-2 mediums filled with honey and the lower medium has some brood and lots of drones (It's end of September, get them out !) The queen is there and there are eggs and no drone brood, but lots of drones and only few frames with brood...Is it normal for russians ?
(I've started them late, beginning of June, and needless to say very lousy wet summer)

[heaflaw]

So, do you guys with NWC, MH, Russians and Buckfast treat for varroa, trachael, brood diseases, nosema?

[Michael Bush]

Here's my opinions:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesraces.htm