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How to use Capped Queen Cells
You can use capped queen cells to start new hives by making up splits or starting resource hives (4 over 4 NUCs, support hives, pamerized hives…). You should not expect 100% success rate with capped queen cells. Not all of the queen cells will hatch, not all hatched queens will get mated and not all matted queens will display an acceptable laying pattern. So you should start with more than you plan to end up with. Some estimates are that 75% will hatch and then 25% of those won’t return from their mating flights. I have not seen estimates on how many mated queens then develope into productive laying queens.…