Medium Hive Bodies.

[Bob Delp]

Well I'm confused...again.  After reading posts about using all medium supers for hives, I'm considering it. The mediums that I have are mostly standard 10 frame width with Stoller spacers that space 9 frames.  We've sorted through these and have ~5 supers with good drawn out comb.  If I decide to go all Medium, should I not use the Stoller spacers for the Brood Chamber? If the comb has been drawn out spaced at 9 frames and de-capped and extracted, are the empty combs still too wide for 10 frame spacing?
I assume that the 8 frame mediums discussed are cut down from standard size OR 8 frame Stoller spaced?
If I go 2*Deep Brood Chambers, I have new foundation for the frames, but could use drawn comb for the mediums...if they aren't too thick.
Bob

[KONASDAD]

Well I'm confused...again.  After reading posts about using all medium supers for hives, I'm considering it. The mediums that I have are mostly standard 10 frame width with Stoller spacers that space 9 frames.  We've sorted through these and have ~5 supers with good drawn out comb.  If I decide to go all Medium, should I not use the Stoller spacers for the Brood Chamber?
Since they are drawn, choice is yours. Personally, since a medium, i would go w/ ten



If the comb has been drawn out spaced at 9 frames and de-capped and extracted, are the empty combs still too wide for 10 frame spacing?
shouldn't be. If they are, the bees will fix it
I assume that the 8 frame mediums discussed are cut down from standard size OR 8 frame Stoller spaced?
The box is shortened or purchased the correct lenght for 8 frames.


If I go 2*Deep Brood Chambers, I have new foundation for the frames, but could use drawn comb for the mediums...if they aren't too thick.

I'm not sure what your question is. I overwinter w/ a deep and one medium on top loaded w/ stores.
Bob

[Ross]

Go all mediums.  Use the drawn comb.  It will give the queen an immediate place to lay.  Pull the spacers for the brood chambers and any time your drawing comb. 

[Bob Delp]

I have several options.
1.) Install my package on deep super with foundation.

2.) Install on medium hive body. 
My medium hive bodies have Stoller 9 Frame Spacers installed and I have lots of drawn out comb in the frames for those bodies.  The 9 frame spacing causes the comb to be drawn out further.  The comb has been uncapped  an run through an extractor. De-capping knife was run against the top and bottom bars so the comb is flush with them.

If I used the mediums for Brood Chambers, should I remove the spacers and run 10 frames?
If I use the drawn out frames without spacers, will they be too thick?
Talked to a friend in town today, that gave me an empty hive, and he said his Bees came in today!  His were scheduled to ship Wednesday the 16th.  Mine are scheduled to ship the 19th.
Bob

[buzzbee]

I would leave 10 frames in the brood box because that gives 20 sides of foundation for the queen to lay in. You can use the 9 frame spacing in the honey supers above the ten frame brood box as long as you are using drawn comb.
In Missouri you will probably overwinter in 2 deep or 3 medium 10 frame brood boxes so there is plenty of stores.

[utahbeekeeper]

If you are looking for a raise of hands here . . . yes, never spacers in brood box.  In my supers, so that I can use them to draw comb or just fill combs thick and fat, I made a spacing jig that is hand held and lowered down on each end row of frames to give them a perfect 9 frame equal spacing.  If you install the metal spacers, that is all you can do with that super.  JGP

[Bob Delp]

Ok, I'm going all mediums for the package.  Start with 2?
Bob

[reinbeau]

Start with one medium hive body with frames in it.  You don't want to give them two yet, they've got to get established before you add the second one.

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#framespacing

I would use one box.  They will quickly outgrow it, but it's a good way to start when the weather is still chilly at night.