Good quality replacement queens and replacement timing.

[TheMasonicHive]

I've decided to replace a queen that came in my May package.

She isn't laying spotty on the frames, but she will skip a frame here or there.  So overall, her performance isn't consistent.

I'm curious about two things.

1)  Is there any timing issue with the calendar year that I need to consider as to WHEN I should replace?

2)  Does anyone have any recommendations for places that sell good survivor stock in Michigan?

[Kathyp]

is she skipping frames because the bees have packed them with other stuff?

[TheMasonicHive]

Its weird.  There will be capped brood in one frame.  Eggs in the next, nothing in the next, larva in the next, eggs in the next. 

This hive is generally listless, I don't see many orientation flights and I go by every day.

I could be wrong, but they just seem very very very slow.

[Kathyp]

different hives behave in different ways.  evaluate the expansion and productivity of the hive, not the activity.  activity can be an important indicator that something is wrong (or right) but if everything else is good, activity should come below others in your concern.
this year i had a hive that seemed to have little activity.  when i popped the top, they were stuffed with bees and honey.  when do they collect?  i don't know.  it seems that few bees fly from that hive compared to the others.

is the hive growing?  are they putting in stores?  do they need to be fed?  is the brood pattern generally good and of good size?  any signs of disease?

sometimes the hardest thing is to do nothing.

i'm not suggesting that you are wrong in your evaluation, only that you make sure you are not giving into the urge to "help" when perhaps no help is needed.