continuing good quuen into other hives

[Pond Creek Farm]

I have a really strong hive that is both gentle and productive.  It is eclipsing all others in my yard.  I am inexperienced at queen rearing and really do not have the time to learn the ins and outs of this process.  I really want to have more hives like this one.  It is two deeps with a super and a new super going on tomorrow.  I started this from a package April 1 on fully drawn, small cell comb (pf-100).  What is the best way to build hives from this queen given my limitations on queen rearing?  Thanks for the advice.  (as an aside, I really would like to keep at least the medium of honey it made) :) 

[Robo]

Sounds like you need to learn queen rearing.  There are many different methods with each having pros and cons.   If you want to go with a no-grafting method,  here is a refined process, from trial and error,  I have had success with.
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/queen-rearing/

Just remember, there are a lot more variables than just the genetics from the mother queen, so don't expect them all to turn out like her.  But starting with a great donor sure does help.

Also remember that the conditions the bees rear queens in also has a direct effect on the results.
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/can-you-afford-emergency-queens/

[Brian D. Bray]

If you want to get more hives from the genetics of that one hive I would suggest doing a mid-summer walk-away split or 2 from it.    That would give you 2-3 hives with the same queen genetics so see how they perform next year.  In a walk-away split you put brood combs + a comb of honey in a new box and the bees will create their own queen.  Just make sure the bees have newly laid eggs so that once the bees in the split realize they are queenless they can select a few eggs or larvae to develop into  queens.  Eggs hatch to Larve on day 3 and the making of a queen or worker begins on day for.

[luvin honey]

If you want to get more hives from the genetics of that one hive I would suggest doing a mid-summer walk-away split or 2 from it.    That would give you 2-3 hives with the same queen genetics so see how they perform next year.  In a walk-away split you put brood combs + a comb of honey in a new box and the bees will create their own queen.  Just make sure the bees have newly laid eggs so that once the bees in the split realize they are queenless they can select a few eggs or larvae to develop into  queens.  Eggs hatch to Larve on day 3 and the making of a queen or worker begins on day for.

Would you recommend this for a new package that is booming? I got a 3-lb Italian package the first part of May. It has a beautifully clean hive, incredible foragers, 16 full bars of brood comb and now is starting to store some honey. Should I just count my blessings, hope they overwinter and do this next year?

Thanks for starting this wonderful thread, PCF!

[Brian D. Bray]

If you want to get more hives from the genetics of that one hive I would suggest doing a mid-summer walk-away split or 2 from it.    That would give you 2-3 hives with the same queen genetics so see how they perform next year.  In a walk-away split you put brood combs + a comb of honey in a new box and the bees will create their own queen.  Just make sure the bees have newly laid eggs so that once the bees in the split realize they are queenless they can select a few eggs or larvae to develop into  queens.  Eggs hatch to Larve on day 3 and the making of a queen or worker begins on day for.

Would you recommend this for a new package that is booming? I got a 3-lb Italian package the first part of May. It has a beautifully clean hive, incredible foragers, 16 full bars of brood comb and now is starting to store some honey. Should I just count my blessings, hope they overwinter and do this next year?

Thanks for starting this wonderful thread, PCF!

A split is doable with that much build up during the time period stated.  It's up to you but a split now should still result in both hives being overwinterable, especially if you do some top off feeding in mid-late September and into October.

[Bee Happy]

I second that: excellent thread, I was thinking of doing exactly a mid-summer walk away. would 2 brood and one honey frame be enough? with 2 undrawn blanks (foundationless with starter strips) to make up the rest of a 5 frame nuc?
should I play feeding by ear?