British Black or Manchester Buckfast Queen?

British Black Colonies are naturally more defensive and alert as their genetics are closer to that of undomesticated wild bees. These traits make them better at defending their hive against wasps and rodents looking to steal their honey stores. British Black Bees are also extremely hardy and are able to fly in colder, weter, windier climates - well adapted to typical British weather - and therefore produce a more consistent honey harvest. These bees are also excellent at overwintering as they consume less stores in winter and spring than their Buckfast cousins. Overall, British Black Bees are for beekeepers who value native hardy bees, live in areas with a worse climate or less forage, or want a low-maintenence resilient hive.

Manchester Buckfast Colonies are known for being easy to manage due to their gentle and calm temperment. The energetic foraging and rapid brood expansion of Manchester Buckfast Colonies makes these bees highly productive when it comes to producing honey or expanding the hive - demanding more hands-on care from the beekeeper to prevent swarming. Overall, Manchester Bushfast Bees are for beekeepers who value honey production and colony growth, live in high forage areas with good weather, and want a calm and forgiving hive.

2025 or 2026 Queen?

Queens produced in 2025 are overwintered queens who have proven their desirable traits - such as a consistent laying pattern, colony strength, hygienic behaviour, and calm temperment. Overwintered queens are a lower risk purchase as they have successfully survived their first winter and are mature and ready to facilitate fast colony growth when you introduce them to your hive. This option is best for beekeepers who want a reliable queen, early-season growth, or to replace failing queens mid-season.

Queens produced in 2026 are first season queens. These queens are younger than overwintered queens and so don’t need to be replaced as quickly. First season queens have a very low chance of swarming, and it is therefore common practice for large scale beekeepers to requeen their colonies with first season queens each year to reduce time spent on swarm checks. This option is best for beekeepers looking to expand their apiary or who want the longest possible working life from a queen.