BBKA Forum

British Beekeepers Association Official Forum 

  • On the spot Queen rearing

  • Queen breeding specialism discussion forum.
Queen breeding specialism discussion forum.
 #7910  by Chrisbarlow
 23 Jun 2020, 18:02
Another interesting way to get a few queen cells is on the spot queen rearing or OST.

has any one tried it? And what are folks thoughts on it?

To me it's kinda a reverse walk away split.

Put your queen into a nuc with brood and food and then 1 week later raid your primary now queenless colony and raid it for emergency queen cells.

An interesting blog here on using the system to maximise honey production and reduce varroa at the same time
https://makinghoney.info/ots-on-the-spot-queen-rearing/
 #7911  by NigelP
 23 Jun 2020, 19:35
Essentially emergency queen cells. Not that I've ever had a problem with emergency cells as it's my go-to method for re-queening problem hives (when I have the right material). But not this year, as waiting for Island mated queens to arrive.
 #7912  by Chrisbarlow
 23 Jun 2020, 22:14
Agreed Nigel. It certainly is emergency queen cells In a full sized well fed colony. This should provide well fed queen cells