Minimum size of a colony to raise a good queen

[ThomasGR]

Hello,
I am experimenting with raising my own queens. I know that a strong colony can take care of a lot of queen cells. This is the best.
Is a 2 or 3 standard frames colony, able of raising 2-3 quality queen cells ? Of course the plan is to destroy the emergency queen cells and give 2-3 larvae + feeding.

[Michael Bush]

It's the density of bees that matter.  I've gotten good queens from a two frame nuc that was overflowing with bees.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesqueenrearing.htm#cellstarter

[ThomasGR]

Thanks Michael,
Could you please explain what "overflow" really means. If you have a well established 3 frame colony and remove 1 frame ( bees shaked ), is this an overflowing colony ? I plan to give a special mini frame ( my own construction ) with 2 larvae. I will not allow queen rising from the frame.

I want to try the scenario of  queen rearing exactly when is needed, at the colony that i remove the queen. Instead of  producing many queen cells without having , where to place them. This is why i am asking such a question.

Thanks for your time

[Michael Bush]

If all the bees fit in the hive, it's not overflowing... :)

[ThomasGR]

Thank you, i got it.
I found what i was looking for also inside http://www.bushfarms.com/beesbetterqueens.htm