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Dun Aonghusa Breeding Apiary of GBBG - Report 2007
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Dun Aonghusa Breeding Apiary of GBBG - Report 2007
The Autumn count in 2006 was 23 colonies. Spring 2007 count was 22 (+ 1 drone-laying
queen). In November 2007 we had 22 colonies.
Queen ages were as follows:
| | Spring 2007 | | November 2007 |
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| 2006 -14 (incl. 8 I.I. Queens) | | 2007 -19 (incl.10 I.I. Queens) |
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| 2005 --6 | | 2006- 2 (incl. 2 I.I. Queens) |
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| 2004 --2 (incl. 2 I.I. Queens) | | 2005 --1 |
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| Total = 22 | | Total = 22 |
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Some colonies were united in the spring of 2007 to produce stronger cell raising
stocks. These were later divided again and young queens introduced to bring the stocking up
to the spring count. All colonies in the apiary were maintained at a high standard through
culling of undesirable queens according to the criteria laid down by GBBG. All colonies were
involved in drone rearing as well as queen rearing and a high level of drone comb was
maintained in them throughout the season. As usual honey production was only incidental in
this breeding apiary. A total of 350 lbs of honey was produced. Workshops and other
activities are included in the Annual Report for 2007.
About 50 Apideas were used for queen mating. Ten batches of queens were raised. 38
queens were ordered by members in 2007. There was a carry-over of 36 queens ordered in
previous years. 52 queens were supplied to members in 2007 and there is still a carry-over of
22 queens to 2008. Some members do not claim the queens they have ordered. Even after
requeening the breeding apiary this resulted in a surplus of queens which were distributed to
other members. I have a list of members who are owed queens and I would like to get this
carry-over cleared in 2008 if at all possible.
A total of 65 queens were inseminated of which 55 survived to introduction. 25 of
these were supplied to members. Ten were used in requeening Dun Aonghusa apiary and the
balance were used to requeen apiaries adjacent to the breeding apiary so as to flood the area
with suitable drones for next year's breeding programme.
Prior to 2007 I did not claim any expenses for maintenance of the breeding apiary .
This has resulted in a fair surplus in the coffers at present so I have decided to claim for
apiary expenses for 2007 and as they occur in future years.
Micheál Mac Giolla Coda - Apiary Manager
Originated... 10 January 2008,
Source Code last updated...
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