JC's Queen Rearing Series...Building A Cell Starter / Finisher Colony (Step 1)

[@AN-OLD-BEE]

Thanks!

[@JCsBees]

Thank you so much of the donation. Greatly appreciated! Best of luck with your queen rearing!

[@matthewalexander9716]

The calendar is excellent, while your step-by-step explanations are well done. Thank you JC!

[@chasingdreams3844]

The best queen rearing series on youtube. So many others only include bits and pieces of info. You cover it all and are very easy to understand with your clear information. Thank you for taking the time to do this.

[@JCsBees]

Thanks! I'm glad you see the effort I put into this video and I am glad it's helpful! Good luck!!

[@davemaloneyvideos]

This is going to be a great series. Very detailed. Good video. Good audio. Questions: some might be covered later in this series: 1) you made up a special cell starter box for spring when it is colder. Why not just put tape over the side screens on the summer time cell starter? Would that not serve the same purpose? 2) As I recall from you past videos, the cell starter does not have an entrance, right? The bees in the cell starter are locked in. 3) When done with the cell starter, what do you do with it? Keep it going for another round of cells? Combine the bees with another colony? If so, can you just dump them at the entrance and let them walk in, or do you need to do some sort of paper combine?

[@JCsBees]

Glad to hear you enjoy this series so far. I answered your questions the best that I can for now. Stay tuned in and hopefully I will highlight more info for you. 1) You could very easily convert the summer cell builder into a cool season builder. I had the extra nuc so it made sense to use it as a starter. 2) Correct! No entrance or exit. 3)You have many options here but in most cases the newspaper is not needed. Keep following this series and I will try to expose them.

[@beecharmedfarm896]

Okay...... well you convinced us ;) my sister and I are using your method and ideas to try our first ever Queen Rearing attempt (other than a successful walk away split). We live in Oregon in the beautiful Willamette Valley and the extended forecast says daytime temperatures are going to be about 75-80 over the next 12-14 days. And overnight lows in the mid 50's. Today is going to be Day 1 of getting the Cell Starter set up and to prepare the Cell Finisher. We do plan to use an incubator to finish out once capped. I will keep you up to date on our progress. We plan to video what we are doing so we can go back and see what we did right / wrong and what we would do different next time. Wish Us Luck :)

[@beecharmedfarm896]

Tonight didn’t go so well for us in setting up our Cell Starter. We couldn’t find even one frame without eggs or Larva on them to put in the Cell Starter. So we wondered what would happen if we put a frame in with larva on it and still grafted the next day. Would they all be ignored on the grafting frame? Or would they possibly accept some?

[@JCsBees]

So glad to hear your giving this a try. Yes, if add larva they will ignore the grafts n most cases. I have added frames with larva that is about to be capped though and had success. Look for frames with old larva, the larva will big big and curled up. Those are too old to raise queens from. Or another option is to wait a few days until the frames you went through are capped. Queen rearing is very complex. You have to line all your ducks up for everything to go perfect. Keep working at it you'll get it. Also keep the updates coming!

[@MrBeachbums5]

VERY WELL done! Nicely presented! Thank you

[@Smalley172]

I'm new at queen rearing. Best video I have seen yet on the subject for beginners!

[@JCsBees]

Thank you very much! Making it easy to understand was my intent. Best of luck and if you have any questions just ask!!

[@jackmckee8491]

Very very interesting I've had Bees before but my situation changed to where I had to move into an apartment complex. So I have been away from able to do that for about 20 years. This year will be my first year to get back into raising bees I'm starting fresh brand spanking new this spring. I hope to be able to build up to where I can raise some Queens like that and even if I don't your videos were very interesting to watch thank you so much.

[@JCsBees]

I'm excited for you. Great story and the best of luck this spring..

[@XxBloggs]

One of the very few Queen rearing videos that actually show you what to do. Thanks.

[@JCsBees]

Yep. I made that years ago and it's helped a bunch of people. Enjoy!

[@saeed4ish]

Thanks a lot to ask you friend wishing the best

[@JA-zd4rz]

JC. I'm excited to see more of your vids on queen rearing. Keep them coming!

[@charleneshinsky1248]

Thank you! I took notes!

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

Clear and logical explanation. Great work!

[@dandorosheff256]

Jason, great video series. Thank you. How long does it take the bees to “polish” the cups? With if some of the resource frames in the starter Nuc box aren’t all deeps? Like the bare Plasticell foundation, or more importantly the honey frame? Can I supplement with a top style feed jar through a hole in the roof? How many nurse frames of bees do you shoot for? I realize more is better, but with only a Nuc box would you say 4 frames plus the three other frames with capped brood? Or is that too much? I guess the hive that becomes the finish hive has enough nurses to cover down for the ones taken out of it? Or maybe grab nurse bees from other colonies so as to not over tax any one colony. Sorry for the many questions. I can’t wait to try!

[@robertpaluska6354]

I did your steps for queen rearing.... It totally worked. I only wanted to produce a few queens and I successfully raised 8 Queens. They all are doing well and according to your calendar, they will be on mating flights soon. Thanks for your very useful videos.

[@JCsBees]

Glad to hear the great news. Congrats!

[@smokymountainbeekeep]

Nice video Jason. Your videos in the past have help me immensely. To me, queen rearing is like a fun science experiment. Always making minor adjustments to increase your yield! But of course, I'm still learning

[@hertzskaer1346]

Thank you Jason for the queen rearing videos, i just checked grafts started on 5-1, the cells were capped today when checking, 17 of 20 in a quick peak.

[@hutch84jr]

Great video

[@JCsBees]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CastleHives]

Looking to start Queen Rearing this year. I’m also in Ohio, south of Cleveland.

[@rcoupe5796]

Thanks for starting this series

[@dennisnorman8487]

Jason, I am retired and started bee keeping only a year ago. Love your videos and am really motivated about your queen rearing series. I took the plunge today and built my very first ever queen starter finisher. If all goes well, I hope to have 10-20 queens by the 28th of may. Living in the Pacific northwest, bee keeping here is about 6 weeks behind the rest of the country due to our weather. Wish me luck and thanks again for all your great videos. Very well done.

[@JCsBees]

@Dennis Norman Glad to hear you took up beekeeping and I hope retirement is going well. I am also glad you enjoy my videos. Just keep in mind queen rearing is something that takes practice to get everything right so don't give up, keep at it. If it were easy everyone would do it, right? The weather needs to get it's act together! Best of luck with the queens!

[@lilbitlevan]

Thank you for the series, I love it

[@JCsBees]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@gregmccammon2330]

Amazing video series! Thanks so much JC

[@schandrakanth9068]

🙏👍

[@aaronchristman6627]

Nice video Jason ! 👍🏻

[@tprater65]

Sweet! Can’t wait for the next one 👍🏻

[@BruceKellman-e5b]

Hey brother I hope you and yours had a very blessed Thanksgiving! We in America are truly blessed and truly spoiled. Hope y'all are doing well and we are missing your videos Jason. God bless y'all always! 🛐🙏🍯🐝

[@JCsBees]

Thanks, Bruce! I hope you and your family also had a blessed holiday. I am hoping to get back to the videos very soon! Feels good to be missed. :)

[@BruceKellman-e5b]

@JCsBees 👍👊

[@angelaunruh3209]

So glad I found your Videos! Thank you for taking time to make these 😊

[@JCsBees]

You are so welcome!

[@mikeries8549]

Looks good so far. So far. The time is right. They're starting swarm preparations in a couple of the hives in my yards. Good luck. I don't think there are enough drones but if the bees think so...

[@mgcbesterclan925]

great JOB

[@dannycrain3485]

Thanks very helpful love your videos . Love the bees only second year. I find your videos very helpful. Thank you

[@TomRadziwonowski]

Amazing video, thanks Jase

[@jerrylsmith1955]

I believe he did. One frame capped brood only. Not necessary when he put four frames baby bees ln.

[@99slacker999999999]

Thank you very much for the Queen Rearing Calendar!

[@JCsBees]

Sure thing! Does it make sense to you?

[@denniswood231]

Question Jason, why in the pic of the cells do they look crooked, not straight down...was the cell builder tilted to one side?

[@timcaron9049]

Great video JC. Looks like Ohio is starting their Bee Season. I wish you great luck. Looking forward to seeing more videos on the Queen Rearing. Take care. Tim

[@JCsBees]

Yes, It's finally starting. So glad too. Shouldn't be long before you see warmer temps.

[@timcaron9049]

Yes I am patiently waiting for the warm weather but according to the weather station it wont be any time soon. We have not seen a nice sunny day in almost two weeks and it has been raining almost every day with temps below 50. We might get a little bit of sun tomorrow but then it will cloud over and become wet again for another week. Oh well, Montreal is like that sometimes, but they do say that this is the worst spring season ever. Nothing anyone can do but accept it and live with it. Keep the videos coming and show me the warm sunny days that you have. It will give me hope. Take care. Tim

[@johnb2251]

Recently found your channel and you have some great videos. Your queen rearing videos make it really simple to understand. I actually just finished building a cell starter and hoping to graft for the first time this weekend. One question i do have is. Should the cell finisher be my strongest hive?

[@JCsBees]

Maybe not the strongest but the stronger it is the better results you will have. Glad your enjoying my videos and good luck with the grafting!

[@Brian.N]

Great video Jason

[@Piratebee]

Doing it this way of course works well. For my self i am using a open cell starter since a few years. You can make up to 5 series in one starter than

[@beeman1350]

Hey JC would you please do a video on how to transition from a hobbyist beekeeper to a sideliner to a commercial beekeeper? From the very first thing to the very last thing you would do. And what would you do differently if you had to do it over again? Thanks for everything you do and great video.

[@JCsBees]

My only issue is I am not a commercial beekeeper and don't know much about it. I could maybe do a video on going from a hobby to sidelining if that would interest you?

[@beeman1350]

@@JCsBees absolutely please do. I've got to make that step first. Please Thanks for all you do.

[@ronaldmarshall5845]

Great Job Jason. Really enjoyed the video. Very easy to understand. Thanks a bunch!!!

[@JCsBees]

Nice to hear my point is clear and you enjoyed it.

[@kwil5379]

Great Video Hoss

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

Well done. I would mention that if the upper box doesn't have at least two full frames of brood, you can bring them up from below and place them in the box above the excluder.

[@JCsBees]

Good point. I knew I was missing something. lol

[@ClaudBizz]

I place all my open broad in the 2e box over the queen excluder and find the queen before i make my Starter Box . Then every 8 days you can do it again to be ready for the next batch of queen cell Frame. The use of a queen excluder that confine the queen on one frame can be used to find your frame of 3 days larva quickly.

[@williambarnhilll6206]

Great video thanks

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

nice job

[@HogHunt]

Can you use nurse be from.a couple of different hives to get your quantity you want?

[@patriotridge]

When is the most likely time to find a frame of all capped brood. I found several frames of brood but none 100% capped. Love your videos!

[@JCsBees]

It can be very tricky to find full frames of capped brood. Sometime you have to check a few days in a row to see if the frames were fully capped. Or check a few different hives, maybe another hive would have frames of fully capped brood. Just make sure to sweep the bees off before adding it to a starter.

[@natserog]

as always... so well done! thanks

[@familyhearingandbalancecen9777]

Nice work on Day one Jasón! Your boxes with ventilation and the other with leas air flow for Ohio Springs was good to see! Did you make them?

[@JCsBees]

Yes, I made both bottoms for my cell starter. They work well.

[@437AlBig]

Jason, where did you get your entrance disc? Does it actually work for letting worker bees in and out? When is the best time to start rearing Queens? I'm in Northeast PA. I have a really strong hive that came through winter and I want to use this queen for raising other queens. This will be my first attempt at raising them.

[@JCsBees]

@Rob Alfred I got the the disc from Amazon, here's a link amzn.to/2QuRm0f and yes they work very well. As far as when to start rearing queens do you have drones? If so, most likely feral colonies in your area also have them and it would be safe to graft now. The worst part to queen rearing is all of the steps, it's hard to get everything perfect the first time, It takes lots of practice. On a positive note though the practice will pay off great once you get used to all the steps. Best of luck and if you have more questions don't hesitate to ask.

[@lollolanimation4567]

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo......!!!!!! :-)

[@claypoplebackyardfarm4880]

enjoyed this

[@michaellavazza960]

Your videos are always great thanks for all the knowledge.

[@greghill9958]

From an old bee keeper you are doing great with your videos.

[@JCsBees]

Glad you like them!

[@Bobcagon]

Great series Jason. If a person wanted only a few Queens say 25 could they use the the cell starter as a cell finisher?

[@JCsBees]

Thanks Bob. You can use the starter as a finisher if you use a larger starter than a nuc. I'd setup a 10 frame colony as a starter if I wanted 25 cells. I just don't think a nuc starter would have enough resources to kick out 25 cells.

[@247Gottahunt]

Great vid

[@theimpulse77]

So the 5 frame is a cell starter and the mother colony ends up being the cell finisher? Thanks for doing this stuff in depth and sorry about all the questions.

[@JCsBees]

Yes, you are correct. Glad your enjoying the series!

[@OkieRob]

I'd like to try rearing some queens this yr using the nicot system. from what I have read it isn't as easy as it seems.

[@theimpulse77]

For isolating the queen, why move her whole frame away? Wouldn't it be easier to put her in a queen cage and keep her with the colony? Thanks.

[@JCsBees]

It's just way faster to move the whole frame with queen until I get done setting up starter. Once I am done she goes back where she was with her frame. If you would rather cage her that is your choice.

[@scottpierson7495]

Awesome video Bud. You really help bozos like me..LoL. Great 👍🏻 Help to me thank you 🙏

[@JCsBees]

@Scott Pierson Glad you enjoyed it.

[@lonnieberg662]

Great video. I'm new to bee keeping and am learning a lot. Thank You

[@toddachten2224]

I was happy to see eggs and larvae in both of my hives today after an 11 day package install! OH!

[@JCsBees]

Nice! IO! 😀

[@ronhenderson7379]

Where is your calendar? Thanks

[@JCsBees]

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1J0YOPlYNL3wHJsEJciCOnrYEDsNKuroeK8k1BiRsWAY/edit?usp=sharing (How To Download File: Once file is opened, go to FILE. Click "Download As")

[@stevedingman474]

Yay,!!!!!

[@shawnzilla83]

Nice new camera. Like the higher quality much better.

[@JCsBees]

Thanks. I've been trying to get better equipment slowly over time. Things add up very fast so it's a slow process.

[@aewal90253]

Jason, great videos. I have been following your series for my first crack at grafting. However my first attempt did not go well. I thought everything was great when I moved the cells from the started to the finisher with about nine cells being accepted. However when I checked on them prior to making the nucs up all the cells had been distroyed and completely covered in comb. Any ideas what might have gone wrong?

[@JCsBees]

I am sorry I don't know why they would have been rejected by the finisher. I have seen the same myself before but never figured out why. I just keep doing it until I got the queens I wanted and ever since that issues has faded for me. Try again and see what happens. Best of luck!

[@aewal90253]

Jason Chrisman will the finisher be ok for another round or should I move some more brood up above the excluder?

[@JCsBees]

I think I would play it safe and move up more brood. Good luck!

[@honeyandthecoop803]

I know this isn't a new video for you, but I love the detail oriented approach you showed........great job Jason!

[@JCsBees]

I am glad to hear you enjoyed it. I remember it being a lot of work to add all the details. lol

[@soundscapexl156]

Your content presentation has come so far. Keep it up

[@JCsBees]

Thanks, will do!

[@John50129]

In Video #2 show how pouring a cup of coffee in the gas tank of a 4 wheeler will quiet it down considerably.

[@JCsBees]

It took me a second to figure out what your 4 wheeler your talking about. lol My neighbors ride like that every single evening, drives me bonkers but I don't say anything because I try to stay friendly with them. Sure makes it hard to make videos though!

[@lollolanimation4567]

You have a queen bee I need a queen bee for the kolonel

[@nancynolton6079]

This video is perfect and so timely! Bring on the next video in this series! I'm grafting on Saturday and need the next step!

[@JCsBees]

It may not be so timely released....The grafting video will not be released until Sunday evening. Sorry!

[@cossvp]

In the cell finisher you mention placing two frames of brood, is that open or capped brood?

[@JCsBees]

In the cell finisher a open or closed frame should be placed on each side of the cell frame so the cells are not abandoned.

[@beth-rg8bm]

Marbles also work in a water dish!

[@JCsBees]

Great idea!

[@ivoivanov9818]

Hi Jason! The two frames with the brood in the finisher is it with open or capped broob?

[@JCsBees]

Hello. That would be capped brood. You want the nurse bees to only concentrate on the queen cells and not feeding or capping brood.

[@ivoivanov9818]

@@JCsBees thanks!

[@christopherbennett3638]

In your next video, can you explain why you chose a closed cell starter versus an open (why lock them into the box?)

[@JCsBees]

I lock them in to keep the older bees from returning to their mother hive. I will try to remember to talk about this. Good question!

[@randydobias4539]

Jason I really like the step by step videos. Have you ever thought of putting them together in a package for sale to those people who would want it in a package. I know I would buy it

[@JCsBees]

Thanks Randy, Glad you enjoy them. Are you meaning like a copy of whole queen rearing series on dvd? Never gave that any though but maybe I should consider it.

[@randydobias4539]

Yes I think you should that is exactly what I mean. Just trying to help you deserve it.

[@cossvp]

I'm in SC, how early do you start this queen rearing process in Ohio? Our nectar flow starts around mid April and I am eager to give this try and get some queens.

[@JCsBees]

I wait about 2-3 weeks after seeing my colonies have drones. That gives them time to mature and be ready to ,mate.

[@joeross4936]

Jason, When you put your cell finisher together is it OK to have open brood/eggs in the top box?

[@JCsBees]

Hey Joe, Yes you want brood in the top box with the grafting frame. It really shouldn't make a difference rather open or not. Just remember the starter can't have open brood.

[@joeross4936]

@@JCsBees Thank you sir! I'm going to give it a try for the first time this year so I am watching the series over and over taking notes along the way. I hope I can figure it out. It sure would be nice not to have to buy queens. Thank you for the awesome videos.

[@richardnoel3141]

Fantastic Video(S) Jason. Glad you explaining it in a more extended version . As you know so well its very difficult to put everything in to 1 movie. Ive found reviewing something you've done a few months later makes better videos and you've got the experience of feed back first time around. I can see your aim is just to educate and teach the benefits of raising your own queens. Well done you!! Also you take the time to reply to questions which is so important. Keep up the great work. We must meet up for coffee when i am in the states next!

[@JCsBees]

Thanks Richard! I am trying my best to put together a decent queen rearing series. There is just so much information to get out that it's seems easier to retain if it's broke down in several videos. The problem I have is running a farm my time is limited so getting the next video out promptly is difficult. I try my best do weekly videos but sometime it doesn't always workout. As far as replying to comments, I feel that is the best way to build a community around my channel. I would really enjoy sitting down with a cup of coffee and discussing bees with you, just keep me posted when the next trip is.

[@richardnoel3141]

Jason Chrisman will do Jason, cheers ! Lots going on at the moment, things great!

[@clintwright4653]

Great video , queenless split or grafting the only difference I see is I don’t take the time to graft , I have both and don’t see the difference????

[@philjanikjr9805]

The calendar DL is where? Thanks for the series

[@JCsBees]

docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/104kHVgKGIrd_9VPc_Sm4pcwZLcpXKlo2Yp9vN7IjzFk/edit?usp=sharing

[@scotthenderson4376]

If I only need a couple queen's as backup to my hive's is it worth it to go thru all this or just take acouple frames out of the hive and make splits? There going to have to be in nuc's anyway

[@curtissmith3597]

I can not get the rearing calendar to work. it won't let me change the date.

[@tschweizer69]

Great videos! Thank you. The calendar is great but I somehow cant download it...

[@bprazen]

Great content. Were you able to buy your Cell Builder Spacer Boxes? I could not find them on the affiliate link. Thank you.

[@malonebeefarms8719]

How about drilling lots of appropriate size hole in the top of your screw containers. I have and works fine.

[@rogeredwards9872]

would you ever do a nicot queen rearing system step by step

[@smportis]

I'm back for year 2 refresher.

[@Jknudsen0523]

I want to know specifics on larva temperature. Everyone talks about not letting the brood dry out with a wet cloth. But what about it getting chilled? I’m always worried it’s not warm enough to do a graft.

[@JCsBees]

I am not sure of specific temps but I use a warm wet cloth and haven't had issues. Another idea is to graft inside a structure on chilly day. I have set in my truck and grafted many times.

[@davidgeyer8390]

Great video's JC. Question I have plenty of 8 frame boxes and I've got the room so is there an advantage to getting a colony started in 5 nuc or 2 frame box as opposed to putting them in the 8 frame box which will be there permanent box (relatively).

[@JCsBees]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed it! The advantages to using smaller boxes when starting a colony is it takes less frames/resources.

[@davidgeyer8390]

@@JCsBees understand but if I have the frames and space it doesn't really matter to start them off in something small like a nuc?

[@JCsBees]

It's a lot easier for a small colony to protect a smaller box than a larger one. Pest like hive beetles can really put a hurting to small colonies. But if you have all the resource and are not concerned about pest, go for it!

[@davidgeyer8390]

@@JCsBees if you're up for another question your opinion on cane or sugar beet any difference?

[@JCsBees]

I've used both but prefer to use the cane. I don't really understand what the differences are to be honest.

[@stevedingman474]

Hell yeah !

[@patrupe4499]

I am so nervous. It took us a long time to gather everything we need. The hive we want to use is over active and it is getting late in the day.

[@JCsBees]

I think it's normal for it to take a long time to gather recourses when you are first starting. The more you do it the better & faster you will get. Best of luck!!

[@andrewmikhael8153]

Hi jason thanks for the video I have a question please if I removed my queen with its frame and put it in another empty hive with a frame of honey .after 24 hours can I return it to the original hive that I removed it from would they still accept her with and the other bees I removed with her .thanks for the answer .

[@eng.knowledgeseeker]

I love your videos Bro, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge bro

[@JCsBees]

Thanks, Glad your enjoying them.

[@pezdaddy]

Thanks for the video and series! This is probably obvious but not seeing it. Why the queen excluder after you put the old queen back in?

[@JCsBees]

The queen is trapped below the excluder because the grafting frame will be going above it eventually.

[@pezdaddy]

Jason Chrisman makes sense, thanks again!

[@andreasandriopoulos9330]

Jason, hi. Why do you have to use a starting hive? Can we use directly a finishing hive?

[@jaybuzzard4260]

What part of Ohio are u in and do you sell bees

[@JCsBees]

Central. I'm on the Knox/Licking county line.

[@jaybuzzard4260]

@Jason Chrisman Bees (JC's Bees) not far im right on the ohio River all my bees didn't make it this winter I need some bees

[@jaybuzzard4260]

@Jason Chrisman Bees (JC's Bees) how can I get ahold of you do you sell bees

[@JCsBees]

I sell nucs but they are all spoken for at this time. Sorry. Here's my email so you have it [e-mail]

[@SergeantMajorH]

Is your 5 frame nuc bottomless? Seems you put the water into the screened in area below the nuc.

[@JCsBees]

Yes, the nuc is bottomless.

[@SergeantMajorH]

@@JCsBees That's good because i went ahead and took the bottom off one yesterday to build my starter. Thanks!

[@gardensollarhydroponic5244]

Hello can you give me queen calendar pls thank you.. I'm newbies for bekeeping

[@newbeebeekeepersguy1207]

so here my question why do you use a starter and a finisher why not just let the nurse bees in the starter finish the queen cup??

[@JCsBees]

You get bigger cells when you add the cells to a new batch of bees to finish them.

[@dennisraven]

Do you put a frame of capped brood in the starter?

[@saeed4ish]

Hi friend I need to know what I can do for all the aunts in below my hive stand I put a lot of salt but getting more and more

[@JCsBees]

Hello, You need to try cinnamon instead of the salt. Ants hate cinnamon. Or paint oil on the legs of your hive stand.