Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: GerryL on February 13, 2007, 07:46:25 AM

Title: one or two supers, hive size
Post by: GerryL on February 13, 2007, 07:46:25 AM
Hi: I'm a beginner. I was told too add a honey super as my bee numbers grow. When would I add the super and should I add two? ( I am buying 15,00 pkg. bees).
Title: Re: one or two supers, hive size
Post by: amymcg on February 13, 2007, 08:37:01 AM
OK, you add as the box they are in gets to be 70-80% drawn out.  So when 7-8 frames are drawn out, then you add the next box of foundation.  Next year when you have drawn comb, you just shove it on there.
Title: Re: one or two supers, hive size
Post by: Michael Bush on February 13, 2007, 09:13:43 AM
Amy pretty well covered it.  Once the hive is established you might need four or five or more supers if you have a good year.  Drawn can  be piled on once the flow is on.  Undrawn will do better if you wait until it's mostly drawn.  Two undrawn won't hurt, but too many and they may not draw them very well.  You can also take the undrawn combs on the outside edges and move them to the middle after it's drawn and capped.

Title: Re: one or two supers, hive size
Post by: imabkpr on February 13, 2007, 09:19:54 AM
Quote from: amymcg on February 13, 2007, 08:37:01 AM
OK, you add as the box they are in gets to be 70-80% drawn out.  So when 7-8 frames are drawn out, then you add the next box of foundation.  Next year when you have drawn comb, you just shove it on there.
 
[QUOTE;  That may work if you are feeding or you have a nectar flow.  Charlie
Title: Re: one or two supers, hive size
Post by: Kirk-o on February 13, 2007, 11:19:03 PM
Mr Bush has good advice
kirk-o