Introducing new queen to queenless colony

[BrianR]

Good morning,
I have just received 3 mated queens for queenless colonies. The problem is that these colonies have been queenless for a while and there's no brood cells. Will the resident worker bees welcome this intervention and feed the cells that the new queen lays into? Or will they kill her off together with her attendants? Any ideas?

 

[Swarm]

I would not fancy their chances.

 

[ericbeaumont]

mated queens for queenless colonies

Increase your chances: make up 3 x 3-frame nucs, include in each a frame of open brood from your other colonies; park the nucs on the roof of the colonies in question; introduce to the nucs, then when queens are laying, to the full BBs.

If you discover laying workers, take away the full hive, drop the nuc into its place, and shake out the hive away from the location. Depending on colony strength, you may have to upgrade the nuc sharpish.

queenless for a while and there's no brood cells

Give a frame of brood from your other colonies; why did you wait so long, and how long is a while?