Queens -- clipped or not

[Doc Pat]

In your experience, is it better to order clipped and marked queens, or just marked?  I'll be setting up my first hive in the spring, and know for sure that I want the queen marked, but am unsure about having her clipped.  Since I'm so new at this, it seems possible that in working the hive I might inadvertently do something to make her fly away, which clipping would, of course, prevent.  It also seems that if I knocked her off or dropped her, there would be no way for her to fly back to the hive if she were clipped.

What do you recommend?

Thanks,

Pat

[Robo]

I have never clipped a queen,  but do strongly recommend marked queens ;) (which it looks like you are going to do).  As far as clipping, it is a matter of personal choice as there are pros and cons to it.  I can tell you that I have had queens fly while trying to work the hive (not a normal thing,  usually by accident on my part), but they have always circled around and returned to the hive.   I have also had freak incidents where I would find them on the ground where I was working.  My concern with this, if I didn't see her, and she was clipped, she wouldn't be able to get back in the hive.  I don't believe there is a strong case for clipping, that is why I choose not to do it.  There is always the question if the bees will try to supersede her if they truly want to swarm, or if they think she is crippled.

[sc-bee]

Was just reading increase essentials --- was surprised to find an endorsement to clip queens! Most folks I talk to say no, unless a high price breeder.

[Michael Bush]

>In your experience, is it better to order clipped and marked queens, or just marked?

In my experience it makes no difference.  I have occasionally clipped a valued breeder so I can tell if she's been superseded even if the mark rubs off, but otherwise I don't bother.

They will still swarm, clipped or not, with the next virgin out of the cells.

[Doc Pat]

Thanks for the answers.  I'll try starting out without clipping her, and see how it goes.

[Brian D. Bray]

I never clip a queen.  If I loose a swarm, so be it, some one else may end up with good bees. 
Clipping the wings accomplishes nothing because a good queen can be lost and the hive will still swarm anyway.
IMO, if you do clip, you are forced to split to retain your queens.
But then, I'd rather split than allow a swarm when possible.  Splitting and keeping the brood nest open are the best ways I've found to control swarming although there are other factors to consider.

[asprince]

I don't clip, but I also had two queens fly away during release never to be seen again. That is a sick feeling.

Steve

[Michael Bush]

That is the only use I have for clipping.  :)  It will keep them from flying.

[WhipCityBeeMan]

I don't clip.  I have never lost a queen yet (knock on wood).  Even if I did I would still used unclipped queens.

[Melilem]

Well I will say this- it is highly amusing watching a swarm walk across the back yard.