Mark Egloff wrote
>        I am a hobbyist that has currently two hives of Italian HB that
>     look like they might make it through the winter. (Although the Spring
 
Don't let anyone discourage you. I think what you are attempting is first
class, and power to your elbow.
        I'm sure Dr. Nasr wont mind me supplying the following.
        Selection Index. Traits to be evaluated, on a points basis.
                        5. Exceptional       4. Excellent       3. Average
                        2. Fair                   1. Poor.
Traits Suggested:
                Winterability
                a. Colony strength first inspection after winter.
                        5. 10 frames of bees or more.
                        4. 8-9 frames of bees
                        3. 6-7 frames of bees
                        2. 4-5 frames of bees
                        1. 2-3 frames of bees.
                b. Stored Food.
                        5. Very heavy none needed
                        4. heavy none needed
                        3. enough food
                        2  no food, needs feeding
                        1. no food and starved
                Brood Viability
                        5. >95% solid brood
                        4. 90-95% solid brood
                        3. 80-90% solid brood
                        2. 75-85% solid brood
                        1. <75%   solid brood
                Temperament
                        5. Bees and queen are very quiet, no sting attempts
                        4. Bees and queen are calm and 1-2 sting attempts
                        3. Bees and queen fairly calm 2-4 sting attempts
                        2. Bees and queen show some running 5-10 sting attempts
                        1. Bees and queen Excited and running
                Cleaning Behaviour
                        5. Clean bottom board and brood nest
                        4. Clean bottom board with slight debris
                        3. Little debris on bottom board
                        2. Fair amount of debris
                        1. Messy bottom board.
                Disease Status
                        Examine brood, check and note. AFB should be eliminated.
                Honey Production
                        Note on the check list total supers added.
 
        We use a plastic pocket on on top of each inner cover, every time
the hive is opened we note and record all of the above. Obviously we note
the weather (temperament), queen right, and anything else which might be
useful later. One final trait you might like to add, as your are dealing
with various races, Propolis production. If you can produce a bee which
doesn't produce vast quantities of the sticky stuff would be an advantage.
        Any more traits? I think this is a valuable exercise and should be
encouraged!!
 
 
 
 
 
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