The queen will swell up considerably when her ovaries become active.
They are usually laying within 3-5 days and should be full sized by then.
If not then you might have a bone to pick with your breeder.
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> From: Brett D Bannon <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Queen size?
> Date: Tuesday, September 09, 1997 3:37 PM
>
> Hi all:
>
>      I just received and installed a queen from a reputable breeder.
> When comparing the old queen to the new queen that I just purchased I
> noticed the old queen to be considerably longer (having a longer thorax).
>  Will the new queen increase in size once she is starting to lay?  Are
> older queens naturally larger than young queens?  If a queen breeder
> sends small queens is it reason to complain or quit using them?
>
> Brett D. Bannon
> [log in to unmask]