Question on size of hive body for new packages?

[harvey]

Hello All,   I am getting very impatient for spring!   I have two packages coming this spring.  That will make my hive count a whole 3!   I have four deeps available.  My current hive consists of two deeps.  When I started it I started in one deep.  When I start these packages should I start them in just one deep also until they get it drawn?    I am kinda hoping so cause I am going to try and catch a couple swarms too.  Not sure how or where but since I had one swarm land on my plum tree last year thought that would be a great  place to start.  I just might get lucky and catch two.  Then I will need more boxes and will have five hives.  Then what?  More next year?  At what point is enough enough?   I think three would be plenty actually.

[iddee]

Yes, start them in one deep.

How many is enough? I have heard Mr. Adee has approx. 75,000 Hives. That sounds like a good, round number to strive for.  :evil:   :-D

[RayMarler]

Put the package in a single with entrance reducer. They like to be crowded and need to be able to defend the comb in the box so need some population build up. I recommend putting sugar water top feeder on until they get at least one full brood box drawn and crowded.

Make up a swarm box and put in the plum tree. You'll find the bee swarms happen in the same places most times. Good luck!

[harvey]

Thanks Iddee,  One deep it is till they have ? 8 frames drawn.  That way I can hold two boxes back just in case I get real lucky and actually catch a couple of swarms.  I thought maybe my one hive that was a swarm last year might swarm and then If I can coax another in.  Well five hives would be swell.  Not sure any more than that would be any better though.  I like the bee's and I love the honey but believe it or not I am the only one in my family that likes honey?   I gave almost all I got last year away as gifts.  I have found that it is the best thing in world on ceral with milk and I used it the other day making cookies when I found I didn't have brown sugar.  Worked well.

[Michael Bush]

Start them in one deep, unless you have a five frame nuc around, then I'd start them in that.

[BjornBee]

As MB stated, I'd go with a smaller box if you had it available. Despite old timer logic of bees NOT heating the box, etc., fact is bees do utilize and benefit from trapped heat inside the hive (a reason I do not use top entrances). In building nucs, if you take three frames and put them in a ten frame box, then take another three frames and put it in a five frame box...the five frame box will grow much faster.

As for wishing you get lucky in catching two swarms this year....it is only "luck" if you catch someone Else's swarms in that plum tree. If your letting your hives swarm and wishing to get lucky, that is called a crap shoot.  ;)