Hi all

I have had an off list reply from George, who, far from being rude, found
the
ideas stimulating.

But I would pose a fresh question to those that are unhappy about the number
of drones in their colonies.

I would ask where and how they formed their opinion...

There are hundreds of statements in beekeeping books that say drone comb
should be reduced as only a few drones are "really" required. The objective
stated is that the "excess" drones eat food and absorb colony resources that
could be diverted to raising workers and thus more honey can be gathered.

I find this short sighted, and have never seen anything that substantiates
it.

It is so commonly stated that most beekeepers believe it, but I ask on what
basis, evidence or experiment was the statement first made?

A bee colony is not likely to do something in it's self management that is
harmful to its survival and prosperity.

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