Advice for starting 2 new hives, 1st year beek

[Acebird]

I find the bee fit an 8 frame hive better than a 10 frame hive.

That implies a higher yield.  So if you are running a balance sheet you should come out further ahead with 8 frame equipment.

[T Beek]

I think he's talking about the honeybees preferred hive cubic area as opposed to honey yields. 

When taking into account potentail medical bills, medium 8 frames just make more sense and will result in less injury for many beeks.

thomas

[Acebird]

I think he's talking about the honeybees preferred hive cubic area

Well explain to me what that means.  If they prefer it then the density of bees per cu in will be greater in the 8 frame than the 10 frame.  If that is the case then you should get more honey per frame (the frames are the same size right?) with 8 frame hives.

If this is not the case then how would you conclude that the bees prefer an 8 frame hive?

[T Beek]

I guess its better said that "some" beeks prefer medium 8 frame supers, but I believe some evidence exists showing honeybee preference for the cubic area of a 8 frame as opposed to ten frame cubic area.  Someone will hopefully post a link describing it better than I can.  Honey yields have never been that important to me anyway.

Have you been to Michael Bush's site, I think he explains it all quite well.  (that would require some reading though :-D)

thomas

[Acebird]

Have you been to Michael Bush's site

Sure have, great site.

[Brian D. Bray]

I find the bee fit an 8 frame hive better than a 10 frame hive.

That implies a higher yield.  So if you are running a balance sheet you should come out further ahead with 8 frame equipment.

Check out this post: http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,31480.0.html