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New Queen not laying

1655 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  Michael Bush
Obtained a new mated queen from another beek that was excess and made up a nuc. Queen had been in shipping box with attendents for about 7 days before installation. Been in the nuc for about 10 days now and no sign of laying yet. Looks healthy. Added a frame of capped brood to build the population some. Anything I can do to help? How long before I should give up on her?
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It can take up to about three weeks back in a hive for a boxed up queen to start laying again. Since she was boxed for 7 days that you know of, and who knows how many prior to that, her laying was halted almost like a swarm queen would be. So putting in a frame of young larva at this point would be the best idea. It will keep the workers honest and the population up. Give her three weeks total before you worry too much.
It can take up to about three weeks back in a hive for a boxed up queen to start laying again. Since she was boxed for 7 days that you know of, and who knows how many prior to that, her laying was halted almost like a swarm queen would be. So putting in a frame of young larva at this point would be the best idea. It will keep the workers honest and the population up. Give her three weeks total before you worry too much.
Is this a valid answer: possibility 3 weeks before she starts laying?










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I wouldn't wait more then two weeks, then replace her. Add a frame of eggs and larvae it will help prevent laying workers. If something is wrong with the queen they can let you know by building queen cells. If you have the resources that's the way to go.
I was thinking along those lines too. It will be over 2 weeks this weekend, if I don't see any activity by then I will start with a frame of open brood.
Good plan ! it will work out in your favor. You'll end up with a queen with local genetics, survivor stock:thumbsup:
I'd make sure you have eggs in with the brood as well. That way if they need them their there.
Do you feed them also? Many times I find giving them some 1:1 syrup would help with stimulating
the queen and get her laying sooner. But I don't have this issue only newly mated virgin queens. After
her last mating flight I put the syrup in.
>Is this a valid answer: possibility 3 weeks before she starts laying?

I would give her two. Then I would make other plans. A frame of open brood in the meantime may be helpful to keep them from getting laying workers.
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