Adding Hives

[binglis]

I have only one hive (my first year this year...), and am interested in adding another, perhaps two.
Questions:
How close should the second hive be to the first? I have one hive on a 5' x 5' skid. Would it be too close to put the second hive on the same skid? Do the bees get "mixed up", or are there other problems with hives too close together?
Is the spring the only time to 'set up' the second and third hives? I live in Southern Ontario, Canada, and the winters are snowy and cold...FYI.
Thanking you in advance...
binglis

[Brian D. Bray]

Knowing where you reside is important information because it can determine how the question is answered.  Climate conditions are essential when giving advice with bees.  You may want to add that info to your bio on the left side of your panel when many of us have our avatars.

The hives can be setup as close to gether as you like, even on top of each other.  Commercial beekeepers usually put 4 to a pallet and work each hive fram a separate corner.

The closer the hives are together to more drift will occur.  Drift is when bees from one hive end up in another.  If they are laden with honey or pollen they are welcomed and made part of the hive.  this can result in one hive dwindling while the other prospers.  

Drifting can be addressed in several ways: 1. Place a board or branch beside one hive so the bees imprint that as part of the hive identifier, 2. Use trees or shrubs in place of the board or branch,  3. Have hives of different colors,  4. Situate hives further apart,  5. Arrange them so that the prvailing winds aid in their return (like a windsock at an airport helps pilots), and 6 place the hives facing different directions within the bee yard.

A hive can be split in the fall.  Now would be a good time to set up a nuc as there is still enough time to develop it enough to winter over.  You can either let the nuc raise their own queen (the slower chancier method) or buy a queen with which to start the nuc.

Hope this answers your questions.