Grafting Queens For Beginners: My First attempts!

This is something I've always wanted to do and proud that I did. If it wasn't for fellow RUclipsrs sharing their knowledge I don't know that I would have had such a clear path.
Honourable mentions go out to: Kamon Reynolds - ‪@kamonreynolds‬ , Ian Steppler - ‪@aCanadianBeekeepersBlog‬ , Bob Binnie ‪@bobbinnie9872‬

[@daviddowen3887]

Way to stick with it Rob! I started a couple of years ago also. I've gone from 2 hives to 12 in the last two season with all my own queens. A couple of tips that will help. First, use some fine grit sandpaper to 'thin' the tongue of the tool a bit. Second, soak the tongue in water for a bit to soften it. Those two really helped me be able to pick up and transfer the larva a little easier. How many did you get to full maturity? Did you place cells in mating nucs? How many did you get mated? I use a small egg incubator and let my cells hatch in it. Then I introduce the virgins into my mating nucs. I like to know that they have hatched at least as I've seen 1 out of 10 or so never hatch.

[@robwildfieldhoney]

Hey David, thanks for the advice. Of the 9 queen cells I grafted I got 6 mature laying queens out of them. I'm proud of that for my second attempt at grafting queens. I'll admit I had to requeen 3 colonies because of chalk brood, video coming soon.
I placed the cells directly into mating nucs when they were ripe. I did that because my bee yard isn't close to my house so I didn't want to risk chilling the cells.
In the part of Canada I live in beekeepers lost 70% of there colonies making nucs and queens much more expensive. I'm glad I learned how to be self sustaining.

[@Lsmith-ly2cm]

What State are you in? Trying to figure out your climate. Thank you enjoyed your bee videos and I subscribed too. Good stuff .

[@robwildfieldhoney]

I'm in Ontario Canada. We have very harsh winters. I've purchased imported queens in the past but they don't hold up well. Nothing like a queen bread in your own environment! Thanks so much for the follow. I hope you enjoy my beekeeping journey. A lot more cool videos to come.
Cheers!