Intalling Pkg on Super with Undrawn Fdn

[Rogan]

I"m starting some new hives this year with all Medium Illinois.

Is the procedure in installing a package on a super without drawn fiundation the same as that for a deep hive body(ie. wait for 7-8 frames are drawn out until adding the next.)?  I was not sure if one super would provide enough space for a package to start out since 1.5 supers equals one deep.

[Ross]

One medium should provide plenty of space for a package.  They will do better with less space until established.  Many people put them in 5 frame deep nucs for that reason.

[Brian D. Bray]

I"m starting some new hives this year with all Medium Illinois.

Is the procedure in installing a package on a super without drawn fiundation the same as that for a deep hive body(ie. wait for 7-8 frames are drawn out until adding the next.)?  I was not sure if one super would provide enough space for a package to start out since 1.5 supers equals one deep.

I start all my packages in either an 8 frame medium or a 5 frame medium.  Either has more than sufficient space for a 3 lb package.  The 5 frame medium will probably progress a tab bit faster since they have less space to worry about.  Also, when I add the 1st super I always pull 2-3 frames up from the bottom box and consolidate the bee covered frames into the center portion of both boxes.

FROM    F B B B B B B F          TO        F F F B B F F F       OR      F F B B B F F F    Using the 80% rule.
                                                     F F B B B B F F                F F B B B F F F

[BjornBee]

I"m starting some new hives this year with all Medium Illinois.

Is the procedure in installing a package on a super without drawn fiundation the same as that for a deep hive body(ie. wait for 7-8 frames are drawn out until adding the next.)?  I was not sure if one super would provide enough space for a package to start out since 1.5 supers equals one deep.

Just do not push it too hard. Remember, a package will have far less bees than you started, about 30 days after you installed them.