9 vs 10 frames

[FredBorn]

For a couple of years a used 9 frames in the brood and supers.

Year ago I decided that that wasn't such a good idea - mainly because
with 10 frames in the brood you might get more brood/bees and the bees
didn't always draw out the foundation "correctly" so I switched to
10 frames.

When I was extracting today, 10 frames per super, I noticed I didn't
get as much honey because the combs where not drawn out as far.

So now I am thinking I should stay with 10 frames in the brood box.

10 frames when I have to use undrawn foundation in the super but with
drawn foundation  go to 9 in the supers.

Comments/suggstions

[Apis629]

That is actually the way I've heard most people do nine frame hives.  I've heard some great success storys about it so it would probably be a good move.

[thegolfpsycho]

Ten frames to draw wax, 9 frames to store honey.  Less equipment, same amount of honey, easier uncapping.  If it's manageable, drone comb in the supers can be a plus too.  Less wax, easier extracting.  With only a few hives it's doable.  Not good if your mixing boxes all the time.  It really hurts to find you've put a super full of drone comb as your expanded brood nest.

[Michael Bush]

I plane 1/16" off both sides of the end bars and put 11 frames in the brood nest and I use 10 frames in the supers until it's drawn and then 9 in the supers for drawn comb.

At 1 1/4" spacing (11 frames) I get smaller comb and more brood in the brood nest.

[leominsterbeeman]

I run with 10 frames in the brood box.

When I have drawn comb for the supers, I use 9 frames.

when I place foundation in the honey supers,  I use 10 frames.