Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: djgriggs on April 10, 2018, 07:45:45 PM

Title: Bee Installation
Post by: djgriggs on April 10, 2018, 07:45:45 PM
Okay everyone feel free to join in..

I was contacted today and told that I can pick up my bees between April 24th and the 29th..

There will be two single 10 frame foxes. I am told that each box will have a full 10 frame of bees..

Here is my hives

[attachment=0][/attachment]

my question is as follows

1. Do I just add each single box of bees to my current two brood boxes making 3 for each hive
2. Or do I take the frames from the current single boxes with bees and checkerboard them into the new hives.
Title: Re: Bee Installation
Post by: herbhome on April 10, 2018, 11:42:43 PM
For an install I would leave the frames in the current order until the bees get oriented to their new home. If they have all frames full then add one box. Too much room will make it more difficult for the bees to maintain nest heat and scent.

Hope this is helpful. :smile:
Title: Re: Bee Installation
Post by: Acebird on April 11, 2018, 08:55:15 AM
You also have to insure that the bees accept brand new equipment so it will be a mistake to add it all at one time.
Title: Re: Bee Installation
Post by: Michael Bush on April 11, 2018, 10:02:45 AM
Your weight is on four legs per hive.  I don't know if they are four by fours or two by fours.  How well that works will depend on the soil (if they are on soil).  Hard clay might hold a heavy hive up (A hive could weigh well over 200 pounds when full during a bumper crop year).  Soft loam would not.
Title: Re: Bee Installation
Post by: djgriggs on April 11, 2018, 12:24:54 PM
Quote from: Michael Bush on April 11, 2018, 10:02:45 AM
Your weight is on four legs per hive.  I don't know if they are four by fours or two by fours.  How well that works will depend on the soil (if they are on soil).  Hard clay might hold a heavy hive up (A hive could weigh well over 200 pounds when full during a bumper crop year).  Soft loam would not.

The 4 legs that support each Hive is 4x4's also I have built extra angled support for the legs.