Bernie gives a report about the bee packages ordered. The following results are from the Barnstable Beekeepers:
275 packages purchased by 118 members.  There was a 68% response - 48 veteran beekeepers and 32 new beekeepers for 196 packages.  Seven queens arrived dead - 136 queens or 69% were laying within 7 to 14 days.  4 - 6 weeks later only 48% had a full brood pattern.   21 hives had drone layers.  53 hives had spotty brood patterns.

In July, 100 hives (50% of original packages in survey) 34 Queens had to be replaced.  Dead hives amounted to 10 - only one of these a new beekeeper.  Balance of hives just so-so.

If you purchased packages, please let Bernie know your results.  beeman704@verizon.net
Perhaps we can have a roundtable discussion focusing on what you should have done to get good results.  This depends on your response.