9 Frame Brood Chambers

BeeHopper · May 29, 2007, 09:58:36 AM

Yes, it was a bad move. Last year my first 2 hives were set up as 9 Frames per Deep. Without going into details as to why I did, it is a MESS :roll:
I would like to make them 10 frames for now, then 11 frames ( ala MB ) next year. How do I go about inserting new frames with foundation, one at a time ? two at a time ? Do I insert into the middle of hive and push everything to the ends ? OR should I just leave them be ? The hives are doing very well :-D

Cindi · May 29, 2007, 10:54:18 AM

Beehopper, I think that you need to define more clearly why things are a mess. You are operating 9 frames in a 10 frame deep? If so, I don't think that you could put 11 frames in.

I would add a 10th frame, depending on how full the hive body is with bees, would depend on where the frame was inserted. Without knowing more, there will be hesitation for advice from people.

I think that to start though, I would put the frame on the outside, if all frames are drawn comb, then put the undrawn foundation inbetween two drawn foundation. Tell more to get better advices. Have a wonderful day, great life. Cindi

BeeHopper · May 29, 2007, 11:19:12 AM

Quote from: Cindi on May 29, 2007, 10:54:18 AM
Beehopper, I think that you need to define more clearly why things are a mess. You are operating 9 frames in a 10 frame deep? If so, I don't think that you could put 11 frames in.

I would add a 10th frame, depending on how full the hive body is with bees, would depend on where the frame was inserted. Without knowing more, there will be hesitation for advice from people.

I think that to start though, I would put the frame on the outside, if all frames are drawn comb, then put the undrawn foundation inbetween two drawn foundation. Tell more to get better advices. Have a wonderful day, great life. Cindi

Cindi,

The frames are drawn out beyond the topbars, so they cannot be butted up against each other like 10 or 11 frame setups. The workers are trying to adhere to their bee-space and with 9 frames, there's lots of space between frames to fill. They even attempted to build more comb between fames, hence the MESS !
As for 11 frames in a 10 frame box, YES it can be done according to Michael Bush, I have done it myself. All you have to do is shave 1/16 inch off the sidebars of 11 frames to fit the 11th frame. With my hive bodies from Betterbee, I have noticed with all 10 frames installed, there's almost room for 1 more, so I shave accordingly. :-D

Jerrymac · May 29, 2007, 01:11:42 PM

I would probably sit a hive body the way I want it set up under the messed up box. Hopefully they will move down sometime or other, hopefully by the end of the season, and use the 9 frames box for what it was intended for, honey storage, then take the messed up stuff and harvest the honey.

Cindi · May 30, 2007, 11:14:25 AM

Beehopper, I know what you are saying about the 10 frame deeps. I use this size box and like it. I have noticed that I could fit in 11 frames if the frames were just slightly narrower. I never thought of shaving just a smidgeon off a couple of the frames. That would make for more usable space, having 11 frames in. There is quite the big dead space on the end when the 10 frames are pushed together tightly. This may be some serious food for thought. Have a wonderful day, great life. Cindi

doak · May 30, 2007, 02:17:41 PM

"ALWAYS" use 10 frames, (whether it is drawn or foundation) in brood chamber, 8 frames in 8 frame hives.
For honey supers you can put 9 frames in when you are using drawn comb. For honey when using foundation put in 10.
doak

Michael Bush · May 30, 2007, 11:42:26 PM

It's very difficult to go back to 10 frames once you have those fat combs. I take a cold uncapping knife and in the spring when many of the combs are empty, cut the protruding comb back.

Cindi · May 31, 2007, 10:12:08 AM

Doak, Michael. Listening, learning, the voice of experience is worth this. Have a wonderful day, love the life you're livin'. Cindi