Help me choose a queen

c10250 · January 22, 2011, 12:46:35 PM

I need to choose a queen for a new hive. Getting a local queen is not an option. Anyway, the hive is going to be in a residential area, so gentleness is a definite plus. Hygienics is also a plus for me. I have ONLY three choices . . . Carni, Minnesota Hygienic, or Italian. I was thinking that the Carni would be best for my residential area, but would consider a Hygienic if they were gentle. Any opinions?

I would love to hear from those of you using a Minnesota Hygienic. What is your experience?

TIA,

Ken

BjornBee · January 22, 2011, 12:55:43 PM

While I voted for a carni, I would like to add that perhaps you give some thought to a northern raised acclimatized bee raised somewhere near your location.

Here is a site that has a few micro-breeders in your area.

http://www.nsqba.org/

AllenF · January 22, 2011, 01:00:22 PM

You might want to add "local mutt" to the vote.

c10250 · January 22, 2011, 01:56:47 PM

As much as I'd like to consider different queens, I ONLY HAVE THESE CHOICES. It has to be either Carni, Italian, or Hygienic. No other options.

lenape13 · January 22, 2011, 03:15:32 PM

I only have Italians, and some local mutts. Both are gentle and non-aggressive, generally. I prefer the local mutts. Carni's are supposed to do better in northern climes and be gentle, but I don't have any first-hand knowledge of this.

backyard warrior · January 22, 2011, 04:24:14 PM

The carnies are a great bee but ill be honest with you alot of my hives superceded with the new queens and made their own and the daughter queens did a heck of a job :)

fish_stix · January 22, 2011, 07:16:46 PM

Just for your info, MN Hygenics are Italian bees with the hygenic behavior, not a separate strain. :-D

bailey · January 23, 2011, 10:50:57 AM

local mutts are my vote.

set out some traps with old brood comb in them, catch a few local swarms and use those queens as the base of your stock.

you wont be sorry you did.

bailey

buzzbee · January 23, 2011, 11:42:36 AM

May we ask why a local queen is not an option?

wd · January 23, 2011, 11:55:24 AM

I'd venture to say that the local mutts might be or have some Italian as well.

c10250 · January 23, 2011, 02:50:10 PM

Quote from: buzzbee on January 23, 2011, 11:42:36 AM
May we ask why a local queen is not an option?

I'm buying an established hive. They only give me these options.

bailey · January 23, 2011, 03:28:24 PM

cant really offer a good opinion then, i havent had experience with the m/h or carni.
just russians and my mutts and only 2 of these are russian, all the rest are local removals in areas that havent seen bee keepers in years.

once you get started and addicted ( yeah! it's coming! )
then put out the swarm traps and get some local stock if you can.
it's really fun to run the trap line in the early spring and summer and find that you have another swarm in the trap!
i have a spot that has old equipment 400 yards away from it.
this junk yard has 7 or more hives that have been in the junk for 10 plus years.
i consider them old survivor stock and trap the area each spring.
i got 2 swarms from the same spot last year and another one 1/4 mile further down the road.
swarm trappin is great fun! and easy if you use a trap you can load with frames!
good luck! let us know how your bees work out.

bailey

Acebird · January 23, 2011, 04:48:39 PM

Carni, Minnesota Hygienic, or Italian.

Quote from: c10250 on January 23, 2011, 02:50:10 PM
Quote from: buzzbee on January 23, 2011, 11:42:36 AM
May we ask why a local queen is not an option?

I'm buying an established hive. They only give me these options.

I wouldn't hesitate choosing the Minnesota Hygienic if it is available. Any step away from chemical treatments is a step in the right direction IMHO.

specialkayme · January 23, 2011, 06:02:43 PM

I havn't kept Carni's, but I know they have a reputation for wintering better in northern climates, as well as being very gentle.

However, based on the above information I don't think I can make an accurate recommendation. The MH that you get can vary greatly. Some are a pleasure to deal with, very gentle, and having the hygienic trait is a great step in the right direction (I try to incorporate some type of hygienic trait in all of my bees that open breed, either with MH, or with VSH, or if possible, both). However, the same side of the coin exists where some MH queens are a real b*tch. Nasty girls that arn't too productive and have to be coaxed to overwinter at all. It all depends on the breeder and the stock.

If you talk to the seller and they tell you where the MH came from, and can tell you it's gentle and winters well in your area, I'd go for that. If you are going in blind, you might want to go with the Carni.

Hope that helps.