What kind of hive to start with?

[CathyBee]

Hello, all!  I would like to start keeping bees next spring.  I have been reading about the different kinds of hives and have been looking at online catalogs for beekeeping supplies.  Which hive would you experienced beeks recommend: the Langstroth style hive or a Warre' hive?   :?  Thank you for your help!!  Cathy

[Robo]

It all depends on what your goal is.   If you just want to have bees in your yard, but don't want to bother with them, that the Warre hive is the way to go.   If you want to be a beekeeper and eventually collect honey from them, that the Langstroth is the way to start.   I have all Langstroth but one Warre.   The Warre hasn't been touched in over 3 years now.

Since your from Montana, I would highly suggest looking at the BeeMax polystyrene hives.   I'm in upstate NY and I see a big difference using the polystyrene hives over wooden. The standard in this areas is 2 deep wooded boxes to get through winter. With polystyrene,  I only have to use one.

[Modenacart]

Langstrom is far easier to manage.

[BeeMaster2]

I recommend a Langstroth. It is what most beeks use here in the states. It will be easier to get your hive equipment.
Jim

[Steel Tiger]

 Langstroth is the norm but top bar hives are popular too. Some people mix the two and build a single, long box that holds frames.

[Michael Bush]

Most of mine are eight frame medium Langstroth boxes with foundationless frames.

I also have other types, but these are simple to work with and supplies are easily available and the boxes are liftable.

[SkipS]

I use all 10 frame Langs.  As said before, equipment is readily available. and easy to manage. 
Good luck and welcome to the addictive world of beekeeping!

[jayj200]

with the 10 deep  Langstroth hive box, they get heavy yet most beeks would recommend them. I would too!

one reason is one shouldn't have to move them.around the yard

this does not mean one doesn't have to manage your hive, meaning you will have to switch boxes or rotate them every season.

they are still heavy. even an 8 frame is heavy. one way to mitigate the weight is to go all mediums

means more boxes 

 

[dsegrest]

 I use 2 10 frame deeps for the brood box and 10 frame mediums for supers.  When they start getting full, I pull 1 frame out and re-space the remaining frames.

I use an extra box when working the hives and move 1 frame at a time.  If I have to move the hive, I put them in several boxes and recombine them at the new location. 

[Kathyp]

and you want more than one. you can rescue one with resources from another and you can learn more with two to compare.

[SkipS]

KathyP makes a great point.  I have 4 hives this year and they are as different as night and day

[Hops Brewster]

I decided to go with all medium 10 frame Langstroth, mostly due to weight considerations (I ain't gettin' any younger).  I've never actually hefted one, but I've read in several places that Warre hives are rather heavy to work with.   If lifting weight is a concern for you, try finding the shipping weights of the different choices.

30 SW of Broadus... Wow, you are waaayy out in the country!  I would suggest Western Bee as a local source, but they're in Polson, and that's a long way across MT.

[Joe Moore]

It all depends on how much time you are willing to spend looking after the hive(s). I started this year (april in kentucky) as just a person that wanted to keep bees for the sake of keeping bees, be able to build my own components, and let the bees make there own choice on what type of comb they wanted to build (drone or worker). For these reasons I started of with two top bar hives (although it can be accomplished with foundationless langs). Very easy to make with simple tools and with advice taken from youtube videos (outofthebluesky and theFatBeeMan) very easy to looks after.  Some advice though, you need to be able to get into them at least once a week after they get the first few STRAIT combs build in your LEVEL and PLUMB hive which ever way you go (many people don't have level hives and this can lead to a nightmare). If you are wanting a more hands off approach, langs with foundation are the way to go. Deep boxes with small supers, deeps with medium supers, all mediums, 10 or 8 frame, you can customize your equipment to your liking. As a curious new beek myself, I can speak from experience, you will more than 2 hives assuming you have the space (I now have 8). So pick  which ever hive you think you will enjoy and fits to your needs. You have already started off on the right foot by asking experienced beeks and doing research. Which ever way you go good luck and enjoy. 

[capt44]

I use 10 frame Langstroth for everything is interchangeable from a 3 frame mating Nuc to a 10 frame Hive.
I use 2 deep boxes for my bees to overwinter with.
I usually still have honey frames left in March.
I figure if we happen to have a harder winter than normal they will have a better chance.
I have about five 8 frame hives but most are 10 frame.
All of my Nucs I sell are 6 frame langstroth.

[Santa Caras]

You'll get more help in using Langstroth hives. That is what 9.5 out of 10 use.  Join a local bee club if possible. Beekeeping, while there are general rules, there is also a lot of local diffrences. It's hot in Florida. Cold in Montana. This alone takes a whole diffrent approach so check with the local beeks cuz it will be from them that you attain your bees and learn how to keep them alive in your area. Spend the winter preparing, building, learning. Your first year will be spent learning how to handle this insect (well a lot of years learning but the first year is a big spike). Dont expect a lot of honey the first year. I tell people it's like wanting a home grown steak. You have to buy the calf and then let it grow before you get your steak and thats what the first year is about. Some dont even do that. They spend their first couple of years "increasing" the number of hives they have. (min hive rule..2.5 hives..2 hives/1 nuc needed just to keep things going) You can either make bees or make honey...but you cant do both. Good Luck! I have enjoyed my first year termendouslly and have learned a lot from everyone here and on other sites.

[Joe Moore]

2nd on the bee club or association. Loads of knowledge and experience.

[sterling]

I haves hives in various configurations and they all will work. Some are easier to manage then others. One of the simplest to manage is the eight frame medium for some one who just wants a few hives in the backyard. Read M Bush's website before you decide what you want.