> In Texas during spring many beeks raise & sell queens/cells. Most of us > prefer cells due to the lower cost and time is not an issue as it will be > a couple months before the hives will be shipped north. Later in the > spring mated queens are preferred. Bob, I know we have discussed this before, but am not sure we ever reached a consensus. Personally, I figure that there is very little difference in timing or acceptance between mated queens and ripe cells. It is maybe a matter of a few days in the first matter, assuming ripe cells are used, and assuming that the queens are not direct into'd, (which some brave and capable beekeepers do if conditions are right), and a few percent in the second matter -- if the cells are good and checked in advance. I figure the cells have an advantage in that the queen emerges and is mated in the hive without introduction and travel stress. Moreover, most production yards have lots of drones, but we always wonder about the drone supply at the breeders' yards. What is your experience and your thoughts? allen http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/articles/nutrition2.htm --- It is not every question that deserves an answer. Publilius Syrus (~100 BC), Maxims **************************************************** * General Information About BEE-L is available at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm * ****************************************************