I posted the comment on taking bees from the top of the hive as these workers
are removed from the queen scent and are not old as they are still
performiong hive dutys, also very young bees that are less than a day old are
ill suited to take care of queens.  All of the afore mentioned as it regards
to age of bees and their hive fuctions are explained in the hive and the
honey bee. If you look close at a queens court you will not see day old bees
attending to a queen I have watched at least 30 queens in obsevation hives
and do not see day old bees attending to a queen. If after you reaserch what
I have said and still in doubt get 6 or 7 day old bees put them in a cage
with a queen and ship them. I can assure you will have very poor results.
 
One other note many queen breeders bulk fill their cages with bees from a
hive and then place the queen in with them. This method is described in
Contemporary Queen rearing By  Harry Laidlaw on page 112.
 
In refrence to missing body parts I have seen this with all types of banking
systems AND THE QUEENS HAD NO ATTENDENTS in the cage. It has also been
documented by many other reaserchers.
 
 
Dean Breaux
 
If I can be of any other help let me know.