Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: mat299 on January 12, 2013, 09:37:58 am
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I have an opportunity to get some Russians this spring and I would like to know if there are any opinions on whether I should or not. I have never had Russians before and I am wondering what the pros and cons might be. I have some Italians now. Would it be ok to have both species in the same area or should i split them up?
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I have tried both. Now they are all just mixed up out there. I don't believe Russians are any more hot tempered as some say. I do remember a whole lot more propolis with them. Glued everything. I kept them together and by now they are a all mutts.
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This may help you and this as from a member of the Russian Honeybee Breeders Association, Inc.
http://www.warmcolorsapiary.com/Documents/RussianManagement07.pdf (http://www.warmcolorsapiary.com/Documents/RussianManagement07.pdf)
http://www.warmcolorsapiary.com/Documents/PackageManagement07.pdf (http://www.warmcolorsapiary.com/Documents/PackageManagement07.pdf)
http://www.russianbreeders.org/members.html (http://www.russianbreeders.org/members.html)
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
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First generation Russians are a little hot. Second generation are mean as hell!! That's been my experience.
They make a lot of honey though! I wouldn't have them again though.
My experience is with one hive and the few splits I made with them. I have since removed those from my program.
Bailey
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Found them to be no more aggresive than my italians. They seem to do better in cooler weather, not so good when its hot..