9 or 10

[wrk4beer]

I have read recently that some beekeepers will only use 9 frames in each super.
Has anyone here tried this?
Do you use the 9 in the brood chamber or in the honey supers or both?
Thanks,
Keith

[reinbeau]

Some beekeepers use nine frames in a honey super.  Once you've got drawn out comb the theory is if you put nine frames in a honey super the bees will draw it out further and fill it even more full with honey.  We are going to try it this year.

[Jerrymac]

It has to be drawn out before going from 10 to 9. Other wise the bees will mess it up. This should not be done in the brood nest.

[TwT]

like Jerry said, the comb has to bee drawn out before using nine frames, the purpose for using nine frames is the bees will draw the cells out farther and that makes it easier to uncap, always use 10 frames in brood area...

[Scadsobees]

Once you have them drawn you can even go to 8 if you want, although that isn't as common, for some reason.  The nice thing about 9/super is that for every 9 supers you have enough frames for another super box.

Rick

[Understudy]

I use 9 across the board.

About the only exception to that is when I do a cut out. I use 10 beacuse I need to save as much comb as possible.


Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Michael Bush]

>I have read recently that some beekeepers will only use 9 frames in each super.
Has anyone here tried this?

It is common practice.  They are much easier to uncap.

>Do you use the 9 in the brood chamber or in the honey supers or both?

Some use it in both.  I do not.  I shave the end bars down and put 11 in a ten frame brood chamber.  If you put in nine the comb is fat where the honey is and skinny where the brood is making it much more likely to roll a queen on a protrubunce.  If you use 10 or better yet 11, the comb is flat and even.

[imabkpr]

I use 10 frames when drawing foundation and 9 frames of drawn comb in both the brood chambers and honey supers. 9 frames in the hives makes it much easier to remove the frame.    Charlie