On 28/05/2014 1:57 AM, Peter L Borst wrote:


>
> For years I used only queen less cell builders to start and finish. Sometimes there would be three batches: new, 3 or 4 day and 9-10 day old. I put the third batch in the incubator when the next graft went in.
>
> These were strong 2-story hives, no queen, fed constantly and bees shaken in twice a week. Bottom line, the worked fine as starters, finishers and for holding sealed cells, all at the same time.

Why queenless?  You can do the same thing with a queen right hive. Just
lift some brood and pollen above the excluder when appropriate.  Feeding
as the season requires, or not.  Add brood from support hives if
conditions are less than optimal.

Geoff Manning

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