A couple of my books recommend the following sequence:
1. Remove feeder can from package.
2. Remove queen cage from package.
3. Replace feeder can.
4. Place queen cage in hive.
5. Remove feeder can again.
6. Bump and dump bees.
Following these instructions, the queen doesn't get pounded.
Jerry J Bromenshenk wrote:
> Also, in MD, I saw beekeepers banging packages
> on the ground before pulling out the feeder can and the queen. Seems to me
> that she got an awful pounding in her little cage when the beekeeper
> pounded the package to throw all of the bees to one end.
>
> Something to think about.