What is the role of a beekeeper regarding the queen?

The role of a beekeeper concerning the queen is primarily to monitor her health, productivity, and to replace her if necessary. The queen is the central figure in the hive, responsible for reproduction and the overall health of the colony. Monitoring her health involves observing her behavior and the number of eggs she lays, as weak or failing queens can lead to diminished hive productivity and stability.

If the queen is not performing well—indicated by low egg production, poor health, or other signs—the beekeeper must decide whether to replace her to maintain the hive's population and productivity. This proactive management is crucial for ensuring the hive thrives and can sustain itself through various challenges, including disease, pests, and environmental changes.

The other options, while they touch on aspects of beekeeping, do not encompass the full scope of a beekeeper's responsibilities toward the queen. Breeding new queens is only one part of hive management and not the only focus. Keeping the hive full of eggs is more of a symptom of a healthy queen than an independent role of the beekeeper. Removing all drones is not a typical practice, as drones contribute to the breeding of queens and a healthy genetic diversity within the colony.