I"m starting some new hives this year with all Medium Illinois.
Is the procedure in installing a package on a super without drawn fiundation the same as that for a deep hive body(ie. wait for 7-8 frames are drawn out until adding the next.)? I was not sure if one super would provide enough space for a package to start out since 1.5 supers equals one deep.
One medium should provide plenty of space for a package. They will do better with less space until established. Many people put them in 5 frame deep nucs for that reason.
Quote from: Rogan on March 24, 2009, 09:00:36 PM
I"m starting some new hives this year with all Medium Illinois.
Is the procedure in installing a package on a super without drawn fiundation the same as that for a deep hive body(ie. wait for 7-8 frames are drawn out until adding the next.)? I was not sure if one super would provide enough space for a package to start out since 1.5 supers equals one deep.
I start all my packages in either an 8 frame medium or a 5 frame medium. Either has more than sufficient space for a 3 lb package. The 5 frame medium will probably progress a tab bit faster since they have less space to worry about. Also, when I add the 1st super I always pull 2-3 frames up from the bottom box and consolidate the bee covered frames into the center portion of both boxes.
FROM F B B B B B B F TO F F F B B F F F OR F F B B B F F F Using the 80% rule.
F F B B B B F F F F B B B F F F
Quote from: Rogan on March 24, 2009, 09:00:36 PM
I"m starting some new hives this year with all Medium Illinois.
Is the procedure in installing a package on a super without drawn fiundation the same as that for a deep hive body(ie. wait for 7-8 frames are drawn out until adding the next.)? I was not sure if one super would provide enough space for a package to start out since 1.5 supers equals one deep.
Just do not push it too hard. Remember, a package will have far less bees than you started, about 30 days after you installed them.