Define 'laying workers'!

Since queenright colonies often have some laying workers, how many must
there be before we define the colony as having 'laying workers'?

If there a gradual increase from the time that a colony becomes queenless,
is it a subjective judgement on the part of the beekeeper as to when the
colony is described as a laying worker colony?

Peter Edwards
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----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Cushman" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: 05 July 2002 18:04
Subject: Re: [BEE-L] Laying Workers


> Hi Lloyd & All
>
> > In order to have laying workers, a hive has to
> > have been queenless for around 5 weeks...
>
> This is more like five or six days in UK.. In 5 weeks we would only have
> about 50% of a colony left, and that is with bees that have an adult life
of
> about 8 weeks as opposed to 6 that is considered 'normal'
>
>
> Best Regards & 73s... Dave Cushman, G8MZY
> Beekeeping & Bee Breeding Website...
> http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman
>