I cannot recall where exactly I learned it, but . . .
For someone with only a half dozen hives, it is possible to raise
decent queens from emergency cells. As I recall - and have tried
mostly for fun - you remove the queen (to a nuc or whatever) and
return after four days. At that time you remove all queen cells which
have been capped (indicating queens begun with advanced larvae).
Return again after several more days to remove all but one or two
large, heavily textured cells - (this only if you are requeening).
It would be possible to return close to hatching time and harvest
cells for other uses.
I've requeened this way and obtained quite satisfactory queens.
Beyond that I can only report my recollections of what I read.
Tom Elliott
Eagle River, Alaska
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