Trying to squeeze it all in while I'm still a rook!

[rookie2531]

So, I managed to rear and get 6 really nice nucs built and sold this year. And after dividing a strong hive up to find the queen, it took 7 boxes and 1.5 weeks to find her. I ended up with 6 queenless boxes, so I grafted on three separate frames. I think I got about 9 cells started in each starter. I have 9 queen rights going now and 3 of those queenless had e-cells in them which a couple may have not made it from mating flights(emerged but no sign of her). This Saturday, I have to split the first 9 up. Then again, next Thursday.

It has been a busy year, going from one package to hopefully 30 hives into winter and 6 sold nucs along with some woodware and tools. I hope to get pics of the cells before I split again, but it isn't easy when you work alone.

Next years goal,,, to have those overwintered nucs available in March, instead of building them.

[BeeMaster2]

Nice job rookie.
Why do I get the impression that you are retired?
Jim

[rookie2531]

Thanks Jim. I am not retired, but tired. They have increased my hours and days, sometimes 7 day weeks. Since the horrible shifts of 1a 1p, I haven't been out in the shop building boxes, so I am running low. I have some d. Coates nuc boxes that I am thinking of hugging tight together and overwintering. It gets below zero here for a week or two some years, so quilt boxes will go on. I think those and Laurie millers sugar blocks was a key to a strong hive, early spring. Oh, and the mite treatments!!

[CBT]

If you want those bees fat for winter don't forget the protein and syrup with supplements this fall.