Multiple queens

[Mici]

Ok, first things first!
would someone please shut of my internet acces. just to make sure i stop getting crazy ideas, and what's more important, SO MANY ideas, or should i say wishes.

this question could be adressed directly to mr. Bush, but since it's already public, it would be nice to see what others have to say, and if they are lazy (like me) about searching sites, to learn about it.


So, how does the multiple-queen system work out?? is it worth it, do you use it alot?any complications?, why isn't it a common practice? Could i build like, a HUGE box full of compartments and have as many queens as i wanted, like as if i tare down the walls of my hives and put queen excludors instead. darn IT, now i thought of drilling a few holes into two of my hives to connect them!!!! STOP!!! LOL, just to much brainstorming

[Michael Bush]

>So, how does the multiple-queen system work out??

http://www.bushfarms.com/beestwoqueenhive.htm

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> is it worth it

IMO, no.

> do you use it alot?

I've done it about three times in the last 32 years (on purpose anyway, but I had one again this year by accident).

>any complications?

It is backbreaking work moving all those boxes to get to the brood nest unless you use my horizontal method.  It is extremely intimidating opening a calm hive that is that strong, unless you use my horizontal method.  It is REALLY scary if they get hot.  It's more work and more intervention.

> why isn't it a common practice?

Because I could get the same amount of honey for less work by running more single queen hives.

> Could i build like, a HUGE box full of compartments and have as many queens as i wanted, like as if i tare down the walls of my hives and put queen excludors instead.

I have had hives with 20 queens in them.  But they didn't have anywhere to lay in their little cages.  :)  Yes, but you could put them in their own hives and get more honey for less work.

> darn IT, now i thought of drilling a few holes into two of my hives to connect them!!!! STOP!!! LOL, just to much

It's a fun experiment.  You should try it once or twice for fun.  Don't invest a lot of money in converting your whole operation over to two queen hives until you're sure you have a system you like and you've used that system for a few years.  I think you'll find it more work than it's worth.

[Mici]

ok ok, i have the whole idea already in my head. ok, you forgot, i already have horizontal hives, or should i say half horizontal, they are accesed from behind, so i have good predispozitions.


ok, the lower compartment is the brood box, i would just drill a hole maybe...3" in diameter from the side, and simply put some tube so they could walk freely, and add the queen cage in between, it should work, GREAT and simple. what about in the fall, do you have to divide them, or can this super colony live throu winter together? basicly i could connect as many as i'd like to to really have a SUPER colony.
this should work great considering a family with 45.000 bees make as much honey as two families with 30.000 bees, worth trying, for real

[Brian D. Bray]

Running a hive with 2 queens can be risky and need extra attention.  I've found that they are more trouble than they're worth.  A good productive queen is much better than 2 queens of lesser quality.

[Mici]

what's the risk, why do they need extra attention?? i know i could read it but it's more interesting to read answers:)

isn't it simply a super-colony??, and remember i'm not keeping in LR, so it's quite different.

[thegolfpsycho]

2 queen colonys can be intimidating to many hobbyist level beeks.  Many times, the larger a colony gets, the more defensive it may become.  Swarming tendency is increased, and all the lifting involved to work them can be discouraging.  I really like the ideas MB and some others have posted about long hives.  Using a 2 queen tower to feed brood into multiple splits could really accelerate some growth in your bee yard and could be a great way to grow packages into productive colonys.  hmmm

[Michael Bush]

>what's the risk

The swarm more and if they get defensive they are very hard to deal with.

> why do they need extra attention??

Keeping both queens from running out of room or getting rejected or swarming.  Adding supers up to the sky with a stepladder...

>isn't it simply a super-colony??

You have to get them to accept both queens along with all the above manipulation.  It  just takes more work.

[Finsky]

I wonder what is the purpose of 2 queen hive, becaúse one queen lays enough for one hive.  Many like 2-queen systems but honey supers on eye level is enough.

If your queens are not able to get more than 2-3 boxes of bees it is better to change the stock.
.

[Michael Bush]

>If your queens are not able to get more than 2-3 boxes of bees it is better to change the stock.

Wise advice.

One good queen is better than two mediocre ones.