Raising Queen Bees 🐝 Episode 2

Eight days after setting the grafted larvae into the cell builder, we take a look to see how many cells were actually finished so we can plan on the number of NUCs to set up. Follow along as we step by step raise our first batch of Queens for 2020 here on the farm in Southern Ohio.
Filmed entirely at Appalachian Heirloom Plant Farm & Apiary, Winchester, Ohio with a Motorola Z4.
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[@timfisher8707]

Thanks Tony. Like your style. Could you show a video with a step by step guide on how you graft larvae to commercial queen cups?

[@tonywestsbees6042]

I might try that. Most of my grafting is June and July. I'll see if I can show it.

[@jamesjones-in6pz]

Try placing your nicot cups in a nicot box with the queen excluder inside the hive box to let the bee's clean them for a couple days before grafting.

[@tonywestsbees6042]

That seems to help for sure

[@yevgeniymuravyev3437]

👍👍👍

[@tonywestsbees6042]

Thanks

[@saintjohncoleman8602]

Now there is a company, EZPZ, that makes queen cages that snap onto the JZBZ queen cups like the Nicot roller cages, but rectangular.

[@tonywestsbees6042]

I recently seen this and definitely will get a few. I don't raise many Queens but it's something I do enjoy.

[@schadik]

I will be grafting from one of the local instructors for the first time this year!! Been watching all sorts of utubers raise queens... one of them recommended a drop of honey in the nicot cups for what he called a polishing session 24hrs before doing the grafts.

[@tonywestsbees6042]

I've had mixed results on the nicot cups and I feel polishing by the bees for a day a good idea. On the JZBZ cups, I use them right out of the bag with good results. It's all about experimenting and finding out what works for you. Good luck! My first grafting this year will be on April 10.

[@benjamindejonge3624]

Good to know that I’m not the only one with acceptance factor on the nicot

[@tonywestsbees6042]

👍🏻

[@familyhearingandbalancecen9777]

Nice work Tony! Appreciated the follow up with the queen cells. Can you share a little of why the other cups didn’t seem to take as well as the ez beez cups? Size of the cup? Thanks!

[@tonywestsbees6042]

I'm really not sure. I had a similar % last year. With the JZBZ cups I usually get 70-80% but with the Nicot it is 20-30%. Many Queen breeders will put their graft frame in the cell builder 24 hours ahead of grafting and allow the bees to *clean them or polish them up". I never have. Maybe that's the difference? The cups by both companies are the same internal dimensions and same food grade plastic.

[@strugglingbeekeepermarkcot9642]

Nice I am a second year beekeeper here I hope to someday learn how to graft. Your videos are very informative thanks for sharing.

[@tonywestsbees6042]

Thanks. I have more videos in the works. Most are geared towards the newer beekeeper. I try to explain exactly what I am seeing and why I make certain decisions.

[@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801]

Thanks for that. Looks like you have some gorgeous countryside where you are. Almost Autumn here in East Sussex, I am looking forward to next spring and trying to get some nucs done. Thanks again.

[@tonywestsbees6042]

I hope your season goes well.