Two Frame Mating Nuc Walkaway Split Update

[@davidsoloninka7742]

Did u start the 2 frame Nucs with frames of young eggs and larvae?… and the bees realized they where queeless so they made 12:36 queen cells? Thx

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

I put queen cells in each nuc that I made. I have one big colony that I make queenless and graft eggs into queen cups...bees take over to create queen cells. Just before emergence, I install queen cell in a nuc with mature frame of mature cells and bees, one empty frame... they will take care of the emerging virgin queen.

[@beasbeesrva2615]

Kevin, you would expect a queen cell to be capped on day 5 (9 days old). You cull cells capped on day 4 since that means the larva was already 30+ hours old and perhaps into the third instar before the bees made it into a queen.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

no...that's not what I was saying or getting at....capped cells on day 5 (of making the split) means the larvae was made from the older larvae. QC uncapped were from larvae that were eggs when I made the split. The youngest larvae they use to start a QC are the best QC to have.

[@scottpierson7495]

Hey Kevin hope your well it’s been a while, but how did you secure the posts the box sit on?

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5OmmJ-PZcmdbrs

[@scottpierson7495]

🐝@@KevinsNorthernExposure thank you Kev, saved it 👍🏻

[@lialos]

How did these splits end up fairing? I couldn't find another update of them in your list to show them moving from 2s to 5s, and further. I have several 2 framers myself, and I'm wanting to benefit from your experience and use them in the best way possible.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

You can see them in the video "queen marking fails"...I had 4 of 6 succeed. You can also see me hive 2 of the nucs in my "hiving a shook swarm" video. The others I needed the queens to give to colonies that lost queens.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

Decided to do an update video today for you. Stay tuned.

[@lialos]

Kevin McMahon - Bear Creek Honey Sweet! I’ll watch for it.

[@kevinarcher7701]

Do you recommend 2 frame walk away splits? What did you start with on your frames for the walk always?

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

honestly, no. I recommend two frame swarm cell nucs...I recommend two frame with grafted cells.....but after seeing how short that walkaway queens have lasted, I'm not the biggest fan of walkaway splits anymore. Last resort.

[@kevinarcher7701]

@@KevinsNorthernExposure I’ve noticed barnyard bees talks big about them but everyone that has tried seem to fail. I think if I try it will be with a queen cell. Thanks for the reply!

[@davidsoloninka7742]

Do u have the 2 frame nuc mounted on a 2x4 post? Thx

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

I mounted them to steel fence posts. I have a video on it.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

Sorry...yes...these were walkway splits....yes....a full frame of bees and eggs and one empty frame. Bees realize they are queenless and will turn young eggs into queens.

[@Shakingstevesallotment]

You need an external microphone, and stand opposite side of nuc, no fun looking at someone's back

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

Send me one

[@Shakingstevesallotment]

@@KevinsNorthernExposure £5 on ebay

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

@@Shakingstevesallotment do you need my address to mail it to?

[@sherryortiz227]

Might need to redo the video or cut out the yelling for the dog part. That scared the crap out of me as it was so calm and then boom, very loud. So much for hearing the rest.

[@shannonswyatt]

The thing is, if you are going to take resources to make queens, it makes more sense to makeup splits that have a better chance to be successful (although I'm not a fan of walkaway splits). There just isn't enough resources in that one frame of bees to make reliably good queens, they didn't even have enough bees to keep the brood warm. You should want to make the best possible queens, not just average queens. You may get lucky and have some OK queens using this method, but I use more bees in my mating nucs than you have in those walkaways, and I wouldn't want to use a queen made from a mating nuc. But good luck, maybe you will have decent results.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

That's the next step when the 5/5/5 become 5/5/5/5

[@OklahomaBeekeeper]

Myself I wood pull a queen from a strong hive and make a nuc from her. This way you have a strong hive with resources to make good queen cells. Then on day 10 you should have cells 13 or 14 days old and I would cut them, then add them to one of your two frame boxes and a cup of bees to maintain her until she gets mated.

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

That's actually the next step.

[@farmer998]

weak nuc's don't make good queens

[@KevinsNorthernExposure]

They do. Not a fan but it is an option. Would rather graft.