hi all
Two questions - First, I am with my first hive - all mediums - no foundation - I have 3 mediums on already, the third being 3/4 full of comb. Do I add my 4th medium now? Or wait until it is 3/4 full of brood and honey? Second - how high in terms of mediums should a hive go? Logically I would say 6 - but I don't know.
Thanks
/Chris in NJ
Quote from: Chrisd4421 on July 02, 2010, 09:07:55 AM
hi all
Two questions - First, I am with my first hive - all mediums - no foundation - I have 3 mediums on already, the third being 3/4 full of comb. Do I add my 4th medium now? Or wait until it is 3/4 full of brood and honey? Second - how high in terms of mediums should a hive go? Logically I would say 6 - but I don't know.
Thanks
/Chris in NJ
Chris,
You'll get different opinions on this one. I would add a box if it were 7 frames FULL of whatever. If they are just building comb and not filling it, I would add another medium just to see what they would do, normally I would not give them too much room. As far as how many mediums high, I would go as far as they need it , keep in mind that 3 mediums are the equivalent of 2 deeps here in South Jersey for overwintering.
Basically three mediums equals to deeps. I've had hives stacked up as high as I could reach starting at the ground. I've had them on 8" stands that were so high I had to put the top box on with a ladder...
Now that would be a pain in the butt to have to get the ladder out. :)