Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Greg watkevich on May 25, 2011, 09:12:32 PM

Title: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: Greg watkevich on May 25, 2011, 09:12:32 PM
One of my new packages, about 5/6 weeks old has about 4 or 5 frames of drawn comb.  Basically no brood, but lots of weird looking drone comb of all sizes and heights.  Lots of spaces in between drone cells, lots of empty cells and weird shape cells.  I did not see the queen and looked over all the frames.  I remember the queen that went into the hive was very small, not much bigger than a regular worker.  Trying to decide what to do or if the hive is already doomed.  Any comments appreciated.  I did checkthe hive after 3 weeks and there was some capped brood but very little in comparison to my other 3 hives.
Greg
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: hardwood on May 25, 2011, 09:17:58 PM
Can you give us a photo to go on?

Scott
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: G3farms on May 25, 2011, 09:33:14 PM
almost sounds like you have a poorly mated queen
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: jaseemtp on May 26, 2011, 12:14:14 AM
I agree, most likely a poorly mated queen.  Pictures would help out alot though.
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: Greg watkevich on May 26, 2011, 11:31:08 AM
I did take some pictures. Will post tonight.
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: VolunteerK9 on May 26, 2011, 11:38:23 AM
Quote from: G3farms on May 25, 2011, 09:33:14 PM
almost sounds like you have a poorly mated queen

which seems to be the norm with packages
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: Greg watkevich on May 26, 2011, 12:41:46 PM
If a poorly mated queen?  What is my best option to get the hive queen right?
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: jaseemtp on May 26, 2011, 03:43:16 PM
get another queen asap
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: Greg watkevich on May 26, 2011, 07:47:55 PM
Whats the best way to introduce her to insure the bees will accept her?
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: G3farms on May 26, 2011, 08:10:49 PM
Find the old queen and pinch her, wait a day and then put in your new queen.
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: Greg watkevich on May 26, 2011, 11:07:59 PM
Can't find the queen.  She was real small when I put her in and she is about the same size as the workers so can't locate her.
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: Greg watkevich on May 26, 2011, 11:11:15 PM
Tryed to post some pictures but didnt work.
Title: Re: weird pot marked drone pattern(Queen)??
Post by: hardwood on May 26, 2011, 11:17:01 PM
Send them to Buzzbee...he can fix anything! (the man's a frikkin genius)

Scott