Bob, Im splitting right now. Further south than you. But my queens for those splits are already mated and laying in NUCS. I try and get mine all hatched and mated FEB/Early APR. those are the best queens for me.
I dont particularly care for hot weather queens. Reasons. Laying, temperament, and they dont last/ superseded a lot, and hive survive-ability. I know this sounds strange being as its 98 deg. here today and the flow is over, those girls are still laying like mad. Tons of pollen coming in though.