My queen is gone

[Cuttingedge]

I installed our first package two weeks ago. I went into my hive a few days later and the queen was released. A few days ago, I had an experienced bee keeper come over and check the hive with me to show me how to inspect and what to look for. Well we discovered some brood but no eggs. They have started to build queen cells but have not capped them yet. We did not see the queen and with no fresh eggs, we assumed that she was either killed or has left. I am getting another package this coming Monday and have the opportunity to get another queen. At this point should I requeen or let them do their thing? If I requeen, should I go in a crush all of the queen cells? We are also getting a Nuc in a few weeks so we were hoping to have three hives. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[OldMech]

well, I dont know how I overlookd this thread...  My apologies...     By now I am sure your situation is resolved, one way or another....

   but to answer... let them raise their own queen...  the drones she mates with will be local, and give them a better chance of surviving locally...
   Installing a new queen may work, and will take less time, but you may also find that they want to replace her, depending on how well she is mated....
   

[Michael Bush]

>should I go in a crush all of the queen cells?

Always a bad idea...