Charles, what on earth is this based on? I don't believe this is true at all. And I am not saying queen breeders are unscrupulous but the standard practice is to get the queen out of the nuc as soon is she is laying. What you are describing would reduce production by about 75%. Who could afford to do that?

Take a trip to GA or Cali.  Visit several.  Most will let you go out and cage queens just fine.....  What your asserting seems to be  75% of the queens shipped  are not up to par??

Were that the case  queen producers would be out of business in a hurry.  

Every season I get to spend a few days with the actually crews (not owners)  shakeing bees and cageing queens.  Most will be very pleasantly surprised at the standards.  The idea that a few eggs in a frame is enough has changed.  Shipped queens quality is very good.

Charles

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