Tiny queen breeding/rearing boxes.

[Steves1967]

Lauri recently posted photos of some tiny queen rearing hives she has built. Half the size of a five frame nuc I believe. I am just curious, is the reason for these just to make it so much easier to find the queen?

[Dconrad]

Lauri recently posted photos of some tiny queen rearing hives she has built. Half the size of a five frame nuc I believe. I am just curious, is the reason for these just to make it so much easier to find the queen?

and also takes less resources ie bees

DC

[johng]

I think the resources is the biggest reason for using mini nucs. Last year was my first year raising queens and it does take a bunch of bee resources to make up the mating nucs. Its not really that hard to get 30 nice looking queen cells but, making up 30 nucs to get them mated in takes quite a few frames of bees.

[westernbeekeeper]

and also takes less resources

Ditto.

[Whitetail]

The down sides are: not using standard sized frames, which prevents you from using your standard colonies for resources.(brood, stores) A large handicap in my book. Also, most are too small to feasibly use as a wintering box. They would also be much more likely to swarm if left to their own devices. I do see the value of them with large operations though..... Very efficient.

[Nature Coast beek]

Queen production model where you can get tons of virgins mated then ship out. Large operations would be looking to take those mated queens and ship them almost immediately, rinse and repeat. Whitetail makes some good points, especially if you're wanting to grow out; virgin>mated queen>nuc.

An alternative to the tiny mating nucs is to set up a queen castle. You can use more standard sized equipment and get multiple queens mated in a small space.

[Steves1967]

Queen castle, perfect for me! Thanks

[My-smokepole]

Lauri would you draw out your box & frame plans. Or are just doing deep frames cut in half. With a nuc made up to fit.
David

[Lauri]

First of all, here is my gene pool for most of those large virgins you saw posted above. I collected this swarm near Mt. Rainier in 2011 and most of my grafts are from this queen. I got five distinct colors of daughters from this one queen. A lot of diversity to work with.


Here is the link to a thread where I describe how I cut down my frames:

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...888#post886888




And I store my nuc box's empty. I store most of half deep frames inside hives with bees. I have the others exposed to the light and cold. It freezes here regularly so No real problems with wax moth.

The box's are standard nuc box's. No need for plans. Just divide them. I fir out the bottom and staple a bottom on it with entrances on both sides



Here's the bottom and one entrance. I had some cedar planks that were too split for any other use. They worked fine in this application. Gave the queen a bit of a landing ramp, although it is not necessary.


Here are some with a standard migratory top. I cut down 10 frame tops from 16 1/4" to 12" for a generous overhang to keep out the rain.

[R Dewhurst]

I just have to say, awesome pics lauri. The queen almost looks like a russian.

[Steves1967]

Thank you for jumping in Lauri

[My-smokepole]

Thanks
David

[My-smokepole]

A normal frame cut in half.
David

[David LaFerney]

Not exactly, at least mine aren't. They are short enough to fit 2 to a row with a rail between - 9 1/4"

Lauri - If there was a prize for best looking equipment you would get it.

[Intheswamp]

Wow, when I grow up I want to raise bees like Lauri!!

For now, I'm settling for having some live bees going into my second spring.

Those ladies look great and your nails look fine!

Ed

[Oldtimer]

Just in fairness to Honey4all, when virgins first come out of the cell they can be pretty big, especially if they were hatched in an incubator. (Well my incubator anyway, I don't know why that is). But they quickly trim down to the size we typically associate with virgins, in preperation for their mating flight.

Having said that, those are some good looking queens in those pics!

[squarepeg]

nice pics lauri!

i noticed that you have tried the jzbz cups as will as the mann lake kit ones.

do they both fit equally well into the roller cages?

have you decided that you like one type better than the other.

can't wait to try this.

[timgoodin]

Very nice looking queens and I love the mini nuc pictures. Thanks for great ideas.

[RZRBCK BEE]

Lauri, I have to say I am impressed with your queens and your mating nucs. The pics on your craigslist ad are awesome too. Good job

[lakebilly]

Lauri, can you post a pic of your incubator & explain your method.

what size paint brush did you say you graft with? I can't find the post.

Post #17 pic of feeder. not concerned about Qn having access to feeder? I don't see other than over the top the access.