Queen Cell Starter Setup – This Step Determines Success

In this video, I walk through my full queen cell starter setup, showing exactly how I build and configure a starter/finisher hive for successful queen rearing. This is the same process I’m using this season, including how I use a double screen board, manage the hive configuration, and prepare everything for accepting grafts. If you’re looking to raise your own queens, this is the foundation—getting the starter set up correctly is critical before moving on to grafting and timing is essential. This video is part of an ongoing series documenting my queen rearing process, so be sure to follow along as I move into grafting, cell development, pulling splits, installing cells and queens, and growing them into overwintering hives for next year's production. 2026 Channel Supporters: 🐝HiveAlive: Feed Supplement, Pollen Patties, Fondant and EZ feed bags: https://usa.hivealivebees.com?sca_ref=6574701.qZlCZwD2CcZC Use Coupon Code DARREN10 to get 10% off your purchases at HiveAlive. 🐝Apimaye: https://apimayeusa.com/?sca_ref=6280813.wL9XyKWWOMIWV5 🐝Guardian Bee Apparel: https://guardianbeeapparel.com/ Guardian Vision Pro Fit Veils: ➡️ guardianbeeapparel.com/shop/guardian-vision-round-veil/ ➡️ guardianbeeapparel.com/shop/guardian-vision-profit-veil/ 🐝Apis Tactical: https://apis-tactical.com/ 🐝HillCo LLC: https://hillcobees.com/ 🐝Bee Smart Designs: https://www.beesmartdesigns.com/ Social Media I’m on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeromeBeeFarm/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerome_bee_farm_and_homestead/ My wife’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jerome_barbara/ My Wildlife Channel: Game Cam Wildlife: youtube.com/@gamecamwildlife9158 Stay cool with - Neck Fan: https://amzn.to/3QeGMaz & FlexiFreeze Ice Vest: https://amzn.to/3Yd2M7O My Guardian Bee Apparel Jacket with Pro Fit Access Veil: https://guardianbeeapparel.com/shop/vented-jacket-pro-fit-access-veil/ Newer version of My Hilco Bottling tank: https://hillcobees.com/products/deluxe-honey-storage-bottling-tank?_pos=1&_sid=386169f33&_ss=r Newer version of My HillCo Cappings tank: https://hillcobees.com/products/professional-uncapping-tank?_pos=2&_sid=6b541ca37&_ss=r Beekeeping Equipment I use Regularly and Recommend: Lorob 20V instavap – purchase at Apimaye: https://apimayeusa.com/?sca_ref=6280813.wL9XyKWWOMIWV5 Honey Refractometer: https://amzn.to/2Vi9z3E Beetle Blaster Small Hive Beetle Traps: https://amzn.to/3hNEEBT Easy Mite alcohol Wash Mite Checker: https://amzn.to/2T19ME0 One handed queen catcher: https://amzn.to/2A5fQlf Posca Queen Marking Pens: https://amzn.to/3b1EN4r Metal Queen Excluders: https://amzn.to/36qeKjJ Uncapping Tank: https://amzn.to/2A0Qy7X Honey Strainer: https://amzn.to/2LwWElN Heavy Duty Food Grade Buckets: https://amzn.to/3k5LhBJ High Flow Plastic Bucket Spigot for Honey: https://amzn.to/3fPLSqP 5 Gallon Bucket Perch/Holder: https://amzn.to/3TzTaCT Florida Labs Oxalic Acid: https://amzn.to/33EQXfY 3M Acid Vapor Respirator: https://amzn.to/32K3BqJ Plastic Queen Excluder: https://amzn.to/3bXxXu6 I cut these to fit over the entrance to keep queens in the hive after I capture a swarm, and also can be used to form the bottom of sugar feeder shims. Bee Pro Pollen Sub for open feeding and making pollen patties: https://amzn.to/4iXYM4P VIDEOGRAPHY EQUIPMENT I USE: Sony FDR-AX53 4k Camcorder with Built in Stabilization: https://amzn.to/2L2CqAm DJI OSMO Action: https://amzn.to/3tKCooo Wireless Lav Mic - Rodelink Wireless Filmmaker Kit: https://amzn.to/2NwF7wC Neewer CM28 Wireless Lav Mic: https://amzn.to/4i2dfLG Neewer Lapel mics: https://amzn.to/4iXXDu3 iPhone wireless lav mic: https://amzn.to/3XNDD4N EDUTIGE Omni Mic for OSMO Action: https://amzn.to/3IJbT6V & 90 deg adapter: https://amzn.to/3JOjpyO Equipment you see in my videos: Gorilla Cart 1400 lb wagon: https://amzn.to/2DGgYRz Work Tunes hearing protection: https://amzn.to/2C8jX4K Weather Station: https://amzn.to/2PA1y4b Syrup Dispenser that I assembled with a North Star Sprayer: -Gas Pump style fill nozzle: https://amzn.to/3iu3Zoo -North Star Sprayer: https://amzn.to/3zfGlSI -Adapter Fitting: https://amzn.to/3iAZdpn My music source, Epidemic Sound https://share.epidemicsound.com/i4v3ox Check out other equipment and tools I regularly use in our Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/jeromebeefarmhomestead I use Audible for my Audio-Book source (for those long days extracting honey: https://amzn.to/3jtoHlo Jerome Bee Farm & Homestead T-Shirts, Mugs and other merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/jerome-bee-farm-homestead Some of the links in this list are affiliate links, which Jerome Bee Farm & Homestead, as an Amazon Associate, will earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. These funds help maintain my camera gear, beekeeping equipment and improve the quality of my videos. Thank you for supporting Jerome Bee Farm & Homestead. #beekeeping #honeybees #hiveinspection