Hello, on sunday apr 23 we installed our first 2 packages, 1 itallian, and 1 carnolian. The workers looked the same, but the queens looked vastly different. do they just harvest bees and add a queen?
Answers would be appreciated greatly, thanks.
Yes - Bees are "shook" from existing hives and then a queen is added to the package. The bees in the package are not the offsprings of the queen you receive.
not even the same type?
I would assume they would, but obviously your supplier doesn't.
If the packages are from the same supplier they are probably all out of the same box of bees. :)
The "breed" of a package is just what the queen is. It has nothing to do with what the workers are. You often get a lot of cordovans in packages since they are really brood rearing fools and build up so much so early.
But don't worry, eventually with a different queen comes different bees. In about a month or so you might be seeing different habits. Good luck =D
Happy Beekeeping
thanx, oh by the way. we get satelite, are there any good channels that have shows on beekeeping frequently?
If you get RFDTV, they are going to air a series on beekeeping in May and June
Quote from: amymcgIf you get RFDTV, they are going to air a series on beekeeping in May and June
What is that??? RFDTV???
It's a Rural Living network. Lots of ag shows, music, horse topics, etc. . . Very interesting.
//www.rfdtv.com
Quote from: redhot mannot even the same type?
not all package producer's raise their own queens, some buy queens from places like Kona and shack their own bee's in the package.... when they can buy 500 queens at about $10 or $12 dollars each and shake their own bee's in the package then sale for $50+ dollars each, they still make good money...
Quote from: JerrymacQuote from: amymcgIf you get RFDTV, they are going to air a series on beekeeping in May and June
What is that??? RFDTV???
If you are on cable, your supplier may not have the channel in their line up.
We are on cable where I live but don't have RFDTV. A friend who is on a satellite does receive the channel though.
It is an interesting channel. They have animal auctions, live, and there you can buy youself a real BULL. No kidding. You can actually buy animals while in the comfort of your own home sittin' there watching TV.
I was at my friends house a few days back and the Angus bull were going for 1800 - 2000 bucks.
After you purchase one you will have the BULL and the S... :!:
Quote from: amymcgIt's a Rural Living network. Lots of ag shows, music, horse topics, etc. . . Very interesting.
//www.rfdtv.com
I got dishnetwork...... found it on channel 9409
What is the name of the show and do you have airdates?
Sincerely,
Brendhan
http://www.rfdtv.com/schedule.asp?Timezone=-1
Honeybees & Beekeeping 7:30 pm Eastern Tuesday.
Tomorrow Saturday 3:30 pm central
The beekeeping thing is on Tonight, April 30 9:00 pm cetral on rfdtv