Hi P-O

> I have found difference between hives used as cell builders. Some hives
> just don't want to make queen cells.
> Even when there are lots of jelly left in the cell cups after the queens
> harched out, the queens are smaller than from other hives used at the
> same time.

I find this interesting... I have wondered about the possibility of strains
that use supersedure not being as likely to co-operate in a queen rearing
operation.

For my part I do select for supercedure deliberately, and I have over a
twenty year period reduced the numbers of queencells that I give to a colony
to raise, because I noticed that the majority of failures were occurring in
the cells at the ends of the bars. But I have not noticed any reduced
quality in the queens that have been raised.

I think I pay more attention than most to pollen provision and liquid
feeding, but that would only be the reason for my success if there was a
natural deficit, I like to think I am using 'belt and braces'.

I am using strains with high AMM content, what race are you using ?


Regards & Best 73s, Dave Cushman, G8MZY
http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman or http://www.dave-cushman.net
Fall Back M/c, Build 5.02 (stable)

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