Cutout Survival Rate for 2009

Grandma_DOG · July 13, 2009, 07:24:42 PM

I just want to know other peoples cutout survival rate.

I'm at 40%

So far, I've cutout 6 hives this year. 2.5 survived.

2 absconded
1 was queenless and was recombined (Count that 1/2 a hive)
1 DOA - heat kill in vac.
2 survived.

I didn't know about using a queen excluder on a new cutout until late in the year. And having KTBHs, its more complicated.

Robo · July 13, 2009, 08:21:24 PM

I'm 8 for 8, we'll I guess 7.5/8 using your math. I didn't get the queen in one and had to re-queen them. I usually don't have a problem getting them to survive the summer, it's whether they build up strong enough for the winter that sometimes bites me.

G3farms · July 13, 2009, 08:24:32 PM

2 for 2 here, even thought the one is still in a five frame nuc and dragging their feet.

G3

Natalie · July 15, 2009, 12:19:02 AM

I only did one cutout and they are doing well. I am keeping my fingers crossed that they build up in time for winter.
I actually learned from you posting about your mistake about leaving them in a vaccum too long so I was dumping them frequently as I went along.
Its a bummer when we screw up but I appreciate you being open about it because I learned from that.
Thank you.
I hope everyone's new hives build up well for winter and survive.

JP · July 15, 2009, 08:21:11 AM

I don't have an actual percentage rate factored but I'm like Rob, almost all that don't abscond (which makes up a very small percentage) do just fine, its getting them through winter that's the key, usually if they don't make it, they didn't have proper feed or absconded cause of ants.

Now if I had to guess, I'd say survivability after the cut out, with them being strong, queenright, or having requeened, is very high, 95% at least.

...JP

joker1656 · July 15, 2009, 12:26:38 PM

I am far from being qualified to be in the "in crowd" here, but I am glad to see this thread. I have wondered about this. I have done 6. Four have done pretty well. The other two succumbed due to my ineptitude. I have learned from those mistakes, and I think my success rate will increase.

A combination of understanding the bees better, and acquiring a better quality vac system will help with this.

Good luck to all of you...and thanks for the nuggets of wisdom you have imparted. Much appreciated.

Kathyp · July 15, 2009, 12:43:45 PM

i think i'm in there with jp. i'm not great at record keeping and i have not the experience he has, but i know i only lost one this year and i think only one last year. they were iffy from the start.

by the end of the year, i can't remember which hive is which and i'm not sure it matters after you swap brood and do a couple of combines. :-D someday i'll remember to write stuff down, or at least mark the hives as i go........

i do think it's one of those things that can only be really learned by doing. all the instruction and watching is not the same as actually digging one out. you begin to get a feel for it and that's more important than all the technical advice you can gather.