Update on my first year of queen rearing.

I talk about the struggles and successes of queen rearing so far in 2023

[@rtxhoneybees]

Thanks Randall for the update. It helps us all when we the people we look up to struggle. Those last five colonies getting queens, well 4 of them seems to be a common story. Seems we never give the bees as much time as they need.

[@kareneaton3395]

Thank you for sharing your experience. It really helps all of us to know how easy it is to fail and what to be more careful of when trying to raise queens.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you.

[@michaelfike7542]

I tried the "fat bee man " queen rearing and it works pretty good. Good luck hopefully it will work out for you and see you on the next one ❤️🐝

[@russellkoopman3004]

That knowledge you learned will help you in the future. Sometimes failure leads to success especially if you learn from your mistakes. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences. I suppose you are getting ready to harvest soon. Hope it is a good one.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you, as I have gotten older I have learned that for me I learn alot more when I struggle with something new. It also makes success sweeter.

[@dannyh982]

This is my first year trying to graft as well. I have grafted 90 cells and got 8 queens. I also had a 2 queen starter. I will continue trying.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

You will get it. I learn each time I try.

[@MikeBarryBees]

What's the chances, right? Two situations that normally just don't happen. Same conclusion that O found too. Grafting is the easy part, getting a builder , or starter/finisher hives is the hardest part. Glad you found the best way that works for you with Randy's method. I found the cloake board to work for the limited runs I need to make. I'd like to mess with the 48 hour cells. I heard Bob talk about it and it would really allow some flexibility with splits.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

It had me scratching my head. I want to try more 48 hour cells and different cell builder configurations again. This season there seemed to be less drones in all my colonies. Taking a while for some queens to get mated.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

Hello Randall congratulations on your queens. I have really wanted to try this myself an I have purchased everything but my cups have not came in yet an I have just been putting it off off off . Thanks for your incurable knowledge. I think when I finally start I am going to try a starter finisher to start with an go from there . Are you feeding your bees as you doing this . I think it was Kamon that said to also feed syrup . Just a thought. Keep going with it because I know you will get it going !!!. THANKS

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you. I am feeding thin syrup and pollen sub on them.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

@@randallcarter-carterhillho2277 ok ya I thought you was it was just that I did not see it . Keep up the great work an keep us updated. THANKS

[@lomavistabeeco]

I will be honest Randall…it’s hard at first, but when you get the hang of it you will find out that it is pretty easy. Please don’t get discouraged! You will get there! What made a difference for me was watching Bob Binnie’s video on queen rearing. I have watched it a few times since.

[@randallcarter-carterhillho2277]

Thank you, I wil definately keep trying. I am hooked in it.