Poll on hive numbers

tlynn · February 04, 2009, 12:04:15 PM

Hi All,

I'd like to get an idea of the total number of hives everybody plans to have in operation this year.

Thanks!

Tracy

hardtime · February 04, 2009, 12:23:03 PM

have 10 know if all make thoww. it is 10 out side today with about 3 inch of snow . by summer with swarms and spits hopeing on 20 big ones

BeeHopper · February 04, 2009, 12:37:09 PM

15 is my max, lost 5 already :-x

bassman1977 · February 04, 2009, 01:34:41 PM

I plan to get back up to 15. I was hoping to have 30 by now but it has been one step forward, two steps back for the last two years.

Scadsobees · February 04, 2009, 02:06:22 PM

I've got 6 main hives that I use for honey production, then try to have 4-6 single deep hives to overwinter to cover any losses (or sell or run 2 queens in the spring).

I don't have room here for more.

Rick

tlynn · February 04, 2009, 05:40:34 PM

Thanks all for the quick responses. It's amazing how many members are on this forum.

tlynn · February 04, 2009, 08:28:51 PM

Does anyone plan to downsize # of hives this year?

rast · February 04, 2009, 08:39:56 PM

Tracy, It's going to depend on what tonights freeze does to the citrus here. I'm down to six right now. Should have had a dozen this winter except for end of summers losses. I could split three now, just too worried about the weather to do it. Oh yeah, what degree pitch is your roof?

Michael Bush · February 04, 2009, 08:46:27 PM

I'm expecting to hit 150. The bees will let me know how realistic it is. :)

Brian D. Bray · February 04, 2009, 11:31:20 PM

I have 2 now and plan to expand to 6 as my normal bee yard. Increase of hives beyond that will be sold. Making nucs and selling them. I figure I can make about 4-6 nucs every year and sell them in the spring as overwintered bees for about $125.00 each. The 600-900 bucks that brings in should help pay for the expenses of operation.

JP · February 05, 2009, 10:12:50 AM

Quote from: tlynn on February 04, 2009, 08:28:51 PM
Does anyone plan to downsize # of hives this year?

I would like to stay the same or downsize some but they may be impossible.

...JP

acepestdetective · February 05, 2009, 07:18:09 PM

Well I've currently got two small hives here after two poor summers and only into my second year of bee keeping/looking after in the hope they will be happy (please delete as appropiate).

Checked the girls the other week to use some oxalic acid on them and feed some more fondant and they seemed fine so made me a very happy chappy indeed!

Just after a bit of fun from the bees and a little honey if possible this time around.

Best wishes to all!