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Author Topic: two queen hive question  (Read 3558 times)

Offline JRS

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two queen hive question
« on: September 07, 2007, 09:49:40 pm »
I have four hives one is farely new [it was rescued from a wire reel] it's kinda small but good natured.Another hive of mine is very strong but some what mean.Can I combined the two separated by a queen excluder and make a two queen hive,or just kill the mean one and combine the two.
The only stupid question is the question unasked,thanx for the help.

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: two queen hive question
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2007, 11:43:36 am »
I would kill the mean one and combine the two.

Starting a two queen hive is a bit tricky and going into winter is not the time to do it.  They will just pick a queen and abandon the other one and during winter they may go through the excluder and leave the other behind as well.
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Offline JRS

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Re: two queen hive question
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2007, 03:19:10 pm »
I was just wondering,because our winter down here really doesn't start until the end of DEC. and we still have the goldenrod flow coming and it's big where I'm at.
The only stupid question is the question unasked,thanx for the help.

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: two queen hive question
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2007, 04:47:22 pm »
You can try it.  I'd do a newspaper combine on them.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
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Offline JRS

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Re: two queen hive question
« Reply #4 on: September 10, 2007, 11:05:43 pm »
Alrighty,if I just decide to requeen the mean one,I should put them on the feed for a few days before,right?
The only stupid question is the question unasked,thanx for the help.

Offline TwT

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Re: two queen hive question
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2007, 12:11:44 am »
no, just kill the old mean queen, wait till next morning install new caged queen in the hive and not pull the cork for a few days, then pull cork and let them release her from candy end, do it that way helps with better acceptance rate, works good for me,,, you dont have to feed
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: two queen hive question
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2007, 08:56:24 am »
If you're in a dearth feeding might put them in a better mood.  If you have a fall flow going on it won't help at all.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
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"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Offline JRS

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Re: two queen hive question
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2007, 08:25:13 pm »
OK thanks guys :-D
The only stupid question is the question unasked,thanx for the help.