Should probably have done a bit of research on the forum before posting my question... I found this thread from a few years ago on the subject of queen banking:
http://www.beesource.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-201080.html
Woud be interesting to hear if Michael Bush, Michael Palmer, or BWrangler (Dennis Murrell) has evolved their perspective on queen banking over the past several years.
It sounds to me like converting mating nucs to small/medium sized nucs to maintain a few queens (one per nuc) is probably the most practical solution for the advanced hobbiest with a few hives. I'd be interested to understand if anyone who has employed this technique uses any 'rules of thumb' or 'tricks' to keep the nucs small. As an example, would it be a good idea to remove half of the capped brood every week to keep the nucs from getting too big too fast?
-fafrd
http://www.beesource.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-201080.html
Woud be interesting to hear if Michael Bush, Michael Palmer, or BWrangler (Dennis Murrell) has evolved their perspective on queen banking over the past several years.
It sounds to me like converting mating nucs to small/medium sized nucs to maintain a few queens (one per nuc) is probably the most practical solution for the advanced hobbiest with a few hives. I'd be interested to understand if anyone who has employed this technique uses any 'rules of thumb' or 'tricks' to keep the nucs small. As an example, would it be a good idea to remove half of the capped brood every week to keep the nucs from getting too big too fast?
-fafrd