Nicot System from BeeWorks - What else do I need

[mgmoore7]

This is the description from beeworks. 

Nicot system.Complete
$69.85
The Nicot system is the best queen rearing system around for the amateur beekeeper. A knowledge of grafting is not necessary, and combined with our video demonstration tape makes for quality queen raising. Supplied with. Nicot grid box, 100 brown cell cups, 10 frame supports, 10 Yellow cup holder, 10 Roller cages. Extra parts sold separately. Add our DVD demonstration for visual help.

What else do I need?

I am thinking I need:
-Cell bar frames
-Queen Cages

[gmcharlie]

the queen cages are sent with it  (it says 10)   should be all you need.   unless you want to raise more than 10 at a time.       I am shooting for 12 myself as thats all the breeding nucs I currently have.

[danno]

I bought a Jenter system and wondered if anyone used the JZ BZ cell protectors.  If not how do you install ripe cells

[Robo]

You don't need to buy cell bar frames. The 10 frame supports (brown) can be mounted to a normal frame.   I find the roller cages useless unless you are going to ship virgin queens.  I recommend moving the cells to mating nucs before they hatch.   The roller cages do not make good queen cages either as they just slip onto the cell cup holder.  If you plan on moving queens around,  you will need queen cages.

I would also consider getting at least 10 more cup holders and frame supports.   You need to put 100 cell cups in grid box, only using 10 to try and rear queens from is not many by the time you figure some won't be accepted.   

rob...

[mgmoore7]

Ok, I ended up getting the package from betterbee as it included the frame and 20 cup holders.  Additionally, they had more items that I needed than beeworks. 

[Robo]

Good idea.  That's where I bought mine from originally  8-)

[RogerB]

I'd spring for Beeworks video.  It's worth every penny.

Roger

[mgmoore7]

I'd spring for Beeworks video.  It's worth every penny.

Roger

Thanks Roger.  I did spring for it. 

[Robo]

I'd spring for Beeworks video.  It's worth every penny.

Roger

I have it as well, and you are correct, well worth the money.

[Michael Bush]

>I'd spring for Beeworks video.  It's worth every penny.

I agree. It think it's the best queen rearing video out there.  There is one for just the Nicot, but the other one includes that and grafting and just doing splits.

[sc-bee]

I also bought the video based on recommendation. Good vidieo.

Was looking @ beeworks site, the navigation seems to be a little different than it used to be, and I can't find the Nicot?

[mgmoore7]

http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=10

[Greywulff]

I take it it is this DVD your on about "Queen Rearing" and not the nicot one.

http://www.beeworks.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=84

Also if I was to buy it would it work here in Ireland as you here of different regions on DVD's ie: Region 1 which I think is the USA and Europe is Region 2.

I think I have a multi region player. Does anyone know?

Thanks as I think watching something that was endorsed by both Robo and Micheal might calm the nerves when trying this system myself this year.

[Michael Bush]

>I take it it is this DVD your on about "Queen Rearing" and not the nicot one.

Yes.

>Also if I was to buy it would it work here in Ireland as you here of different regions on DVD's ie: Region 1 which I think is the USA and Europe is Region 2.

I don't know.  I'll bet if you call they would be happy to tell you.  My guess is that it would be region free as making it a region would be of no value in a video such as this.

>I think I have a multi region player.

Then it wouldn't matter.

[Greywulff]

They do ship to Ireland and it will play here, and it's on its way Thanks Guys. :-D :-DCan't Wait :-D :-D

[bugleman]

Mr. Bush,

Do you recommend a beginner for a first shot at queen raising, to use something like the Nicot system or just getting a grafting frame some cups and a tool.  I do feel better about finding larve and scooping them out then finding the queen and handling her.

Kevin

[Michael Bush]

>Do you recommend a beginner for a first shot at queen raising, to use something like the Nicot system or just getting a grafting frame some cups and a tool.

I think it depends on your pocketbook.  The Nicot will save you having to learn to graft and let you focus on other aspects of queen rearing.  But you could also do that by doing the Hopkins method or the Miller method.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeshopkinsmethod.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenrearing.htm#hopkinsmethod
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmillermethod.htm

Or even the "Better Queens" method:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesbetterqueenscondensed.htm

>I do feel better about finding larve and scooping them out then finding the queen and handling her.

If your eyesight is good and you make a push in cage of #5 hardware cloth so you can find out what newly hatched larvae look like, you can buy a chinese grafting tool and graft.

http://www.bushfarms.com/images/QueenConfinement5.jpg