Hi Aaron & All

> I suspect queenless banks are optimal, but queenright banks work.

I have never had any problems with queen banking and usually use queenright
colonies, but I have even used mating nucs that vary from cell-to-virgin-to
mated-then laying.

The nucs held three frames each of only one third width of a BS frame there
were three hair roller cages arranged vertically so that the queen could
"hide" in the non perforated part.

Losses were only small (1 % or 2% maybe 3% on some occasions)

Regards From:- Dave Cushman, G8MZY
Beekeeping and Bee Breeding, http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman
IBList Archives, http://website.lineone.net/~d.cushman