> I switched hives..... taking the old hive to a new location in the yard,
> and replaced this strong hive with a 4 frame nuc and laying queen. All
> the field bees would have to get used to this new queen.
 
Well, this is the opposite of what we would do to get a queen accepted.
We move the *nuc* across the yard and put the queen in there with only
young bees remaining.  Only after she is laying well and has established
brood, would I consider switching hives to equalise strength.
 
As a general rule, young bees will accept any queen, older bees are more
particular.  If a flow is on, things usually go much better.
 
 
Allen Dick                                  VE6CFK
Rural Route One, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
     [log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
       http://www.internode.net/HoneyBee/