number of hives in an apiary yard?

[EOHenry]

How do you know howmany hive you can put together in one group before it's too crowded? Just thinking about how many hives I can put out back before I reach a point of over crowding nector supply as I am going to start building more supers.
Thanx for the input.

EOHenry

[Lesli]

I think you answered your own question! a lot depends on the food supply within a couple of miles. Beyond that, I'd limit myself to 4 colonies if I lived in a suburb, just to minimize neighbor fear and all.