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Poll

What Type of Honeybee do you have?

I use/raise 3 Banded Italians
13 (56.5%)
I use/raise Buckfast Bees
0 (0%)
I use/raise Starline Bees
0 (0%)
I use/raise Midnight Bees
0 (0%)
I use/raise Russian Bees
3 (13%)
I currently raise several types of honeybees
1 (4.3%)
I have had honeybees in the past but currently don't have any
0 (0%)
I'm just learning about beekeeping, I want to know more about all the types
3 (13%)
I have honeybees, but honestly I'm not sure which type
1 (4.3%)
I'm trying New World Carniolan Queens
1 (4.3%)
I'm using Smart Queens
0 (0%)
In my hives it looks like the United Nation - all kinds of offspring
1 (4.3%)

Total Members Voted: 0

Author Topic: what type queens/bees are everyone keeping?  (Read 4993 times)

Offline golfpsycho

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 244
what type queens/bees are everyone keeping?
« on: May 30, 2004, 01:29:08 am »
I'm very interested in the different queens being offered today.  I've always had italians, but there are alot of qualities being discussed and I would like as much information as I can get.  I've read about NWC's, buckfast, russians, smart queens, starline, and midnites.  Lots of conflicting information in different posts on Bee-L, and of course the queen breeders sites.  If I had a dozen hives, I would order a couple of each, requeening this fall, and draw my own conclusions.  

Unfortunately, at this time, I'm very limited as to what I can do, and waiting 2 or 3 years to make evaluations under variable conditions isn't very revealing.  My preference is making comb honey, so I like huge populations with as little propensity for swarming as can be bred for.  What is everyones experience with these various types?

Offline Beth Kirkley

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 103
    • http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/GA216.html
what type queens/bees are everyone keeping?
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2004, 09:47:20 am »
I have Italians, but I'd like to try Buckfast one day.

Beth

Offline Ross

  • Field Bee
  • ***
  • Posts: 512
    • http://www.myoldtools.com
what type queens/bees are everyone keeping?
« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2004, 06:39:10 pm »
I have had Italians for a year.  They were ok, but several hives got a little hot.  This spring I installed 6 NWC queens.  Those hives can now be worked without smoke.  I also picked up a hive of feral bees that are very gentle.
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