>    This sounds like apiary vicinity mating, where the  queen nips out for 
> a
> few minutes and mates with drones from that apiary. what  problems are you
> having from inbreeding?

So far, I am doing well.  But, I am on the eight generation of my original 
two queens, and one of those bloodlines has died out.  Just as well, I 
believe they had been sisters. There are few beekeepers in the area and 
nearly no feral colonies.  I'm guessing that about 15 generations of 
inbreeding or less, will start shot brood.  I'd like to introduce a new 
survivor bloodline next year.  Maybe someday I will have something 
marketable.

Jim Hock
Wethersfield, CT. 

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