Picking up my 1st package next friday and I was wondering how much room to give them. I will be using Med 10 frame boxes. Is one enough.....or should i start with 2 Mediums. :?
As I understand it two mediums = 1 deep, I think you may be able to start them out in 1 medium but they are going to fill it up pretty quick and could swarm early if you dont add the second soon enough.
I started with one medium because thats what I was told to do and I will be adding the next one when they have 75-80 percent of the frames filled out in this one.
I think 3 mediums = 2 deeps.
Starting with 1 or 2, I don't think really matters. Just keep a watch on them and add that second (or third) medium box when 7-8 frames have been drawn.
One medium is more than enough. I've often put packages in five frame medium nucs with foundationless or bare foundation. They need an eight frame box with drawn comb. A ten frame box is plenty big.
Quote from: Michael Bush on April 29, 2009, 08:47:53 PM
They need an eight frame box with drawn comb. a ten frame box is plenty big.
Would 1" starter strips of wax foundation be ok? Or would they be more likely to abscond. I have 10 frames with wax coated plastic foundation, but would prefer just using starter strips. Of course i dont want to lose my bees either 8-)