Thom Bradley wrote:
>
>     I think one distinction must be made here that is perhaps leading to a
> misconception on some parts. One of the deciding factors here is drone
> availability. In an established large and/or commercial yard there will probably
> be enough drones and established drone collection areas. A hobbyist or sideliner
> may not have the ability to establish a yard to favor  a successful mating area.
> Besides weather and birds then a smaller yard may not successfully produce good
> queens.

I don't think this is a problem.  There are NO wild colonies in Alaska,
and even though I have only four colonies, I have on several occasions
raised fine queens from emergency cells.  Just the various hives,
managed to whatever degree, provide sufficient drones.

Tom

--
"Test everything.  Hold on to the good."  (1 Thessalonians 5:21)

Tom Elliott
Chugiak,  Alaska
U.S.A.
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