Hmm, I'm not so sure about the laying sooner part. It took me almost a week to get a queen I ordered last year, but that was because the place I ordered one from said they only shipped on Wednesdays, tho I did get it Thursday, but the order was placed on a Friday the week before. So it could be kinda close as to which one is laying first. Figure it's gonna take them a 5 days or a maybe a few more to dig her out. Ususally I would just let them raise their own, but I did buy a queen from a local store recently, but that was more to show the some family that was in town a queen up close and personal. Now my nephew can't wait to come back out and help with the bees again, maybe I have the makings for a new 14 year old beekeeper?
C2