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Author Topic: 2 Queens??  (Read 2292 times)

Offline Mason

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2 Queens??
« on: October 14, 2012, 01:44:15 pm »
I am trying to feed and get my hives stores built up for winter.  One of my smaller hives has 2 queens in it.  It's a long shot to separate one of them and build another hive to the point it would survive winter this late in the year.

What should I do?

My first instinct is to do nothing and let the bees sort it out.   
Former beekeeper until March....maybe next year...RIP

Offline Finski

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #1 on: October 14, 2012, 02:17:32 pm »
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Kill another queen. Try to look which is older. But they will clear the situation too.
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Offline Mason

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2012, 02:34:57 pm »
Does bigger mean older?
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Offline Finski

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #3 on: October 14, 2012, 03:09:42 pm »
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Smaller? Has it abdomen swollen = mated

old queen has not shiny colors. Wings have perhaps some uneven edge.  Hairs are not so perfect as with younger.

If you are not sure, let them boath be there.
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Offline AllenF

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #4 on: October 14, 2012, 03:45:21 pm »
I would not worry about them.   The stronger queen will go into winter.  The weaker will not.  Let them figure it out. 

Offline Vance G

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #5 on: October 14, 2012, 09:10:35 pm »
Some researcher I read said that 10 to 20% of colonies have two queens.   I wouldn't know because when I find one I quit looking.   i'd just say you have good luck and a spare!

Offline Mason

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #6 on: October 15, 2012, 03:18:07 pm »
Quote
I wouldn't know because when I find one I quit looking.

I suppose I should have said "at least 2 queens".  They were on opposite sides of the same frame.

Neither looked like a big fat mature queen. I'm starting to think this hive may be doomed.   
Former beekeeper until March....maybe next year...RIP

Offline AllenF

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #7 on: October 15, 2012, 08:28:03 pm »
Why doomed?

Offline Nature Coast Beek

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #8 on: October 18, 2012, 01:58:27 pm »
I've seen some chatter on other boards... :roll:...regarding running double queen hives. I believe the person was from the Pac NW and saying that Alaska beeks do this for more productive hives. I suppose two laying queens would boost brood numbers and build up as long as there was food. Again, just some chatter I've read but maybe leave it bee and see what happens. Interesting to say the least.

Offline Mason

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Re: 2 Queens??
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2012, 04:01:08 pm »
Maybe the old queen failed and they went through the supercedure process and made and kept 2 queens.  Their is larva  so at least one of them is laying.  My fear is that this happened too late in the season for there to have been enough drone population in the area to properly mate the queens.  All seems well for now.  I'm just going to ride it out and let the bees deal with it.
Former beekeeper until March....maybe next year...RIP

 

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