queen Buckfast queen bee: mated and marked laying queen in 3-hole cage with queen candy and attendants. The Buckfast line of queens dates back to the queen breeding work performed by Brother Adams at Buckfast Abby.
Still available – purchase 5 frame NUCS here – Click for Bee NUCS or Click for Bee PACKAGES
Buckfast Queen Bee Strengths
- High Honey Production: Excellent foragers and prolific honey producers.
- Gentle Temperament: First-generation queens produce calm, docile bees, good for beginners and urban beekeeping.
- Low Swarming Tendency: Less prone to swarming compared to other strains like Carniolans, simplifying hive management.
- Disease & Pest Resistance: Bred for resistance to issues like tracheal mites (Acarapis woodi).
- Adaptable: Buckfast bees can thrive in various climates and handle environmental changes well.
- Good Wintering: Generally overwinter well and build strong colonies.
Buckfast Queen Bee Weakness
- Requires Management for Temperament: Without consistent pure Buckfast queens, later generations (F2, F3) can become defensive or aggressive.
- Slower Spring Buildup: May build up slower in early spring compared to very rapid builders like Carniolans, though they compensate later.
- Cost: Pure Buckfast queen genetics can sometimes be more expensive.
- Large Colonies: Their prolific nature can lead to very large colonies, potentially requiring more space or winter feed.
