Roger.Wilco
New Bee
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2023
- Messages
- 46
- Reaction score
- 30
- Location
- Hampshire/Berkshire
- Hive Type
- 14x12
- Number of Hives
- 3+1
Have been talking to a farmer about siting an out-apiary (my first outside the association apiary I'm currently using). Would appreciate opinions from those that have traveled the journey before.
When positioning the hives within the apiary - does it matter what shape? Half-circle or off-set line or straight-line? Does it matter? Text-books seem to prioritize the discouragement of drifting and recommend half-circle but most bee-farmers seem to like straight lines? My current association apiary is a circle. Does the shape really matter?
After looking at various fields and discounting fields with only tractor access or with public footpaths or visible from public roads.
The following field is being offered - it is an occasional livestock field. The farmer is willing to setup fences; once the location is agreed. Just need to figure out the best location.
The image below is a not-to-scale mud-map of the field.
The right of the image is a dense copse of +50m between the field boundary and the public road.
The top of the image just above the fence is a non-public farm access track.
The field gate is used semi-regularly for access to other further fields.
Which position would folks select? (1), (2) or (3).
The "best" location in my opinion is (1); also the farmers preferred location; however, the farmer wishes that the hives be behind the hedge which isn't very long and very close to the gate.
Maybe, too close for folks getting in/out of tractors/cars to open/close the gate if the bees go "defensive" - am I over thinking this? How far from the gate would people recommend? 5m? 10m?
Next best location in my opinion is (2)... though not south facing; but would get afternoon sun.
Location (3); not south facing and would be in some shadow - but has the advantage of requiring less fencing.
When positioning the hives within the apiary - does it matter what shape? Half-circle or off-set line or straight-line? Does it matter? Text-books seem to prioritize the discouragement of drifting and recommend half-circle but most bee-farmers seem to like straight lines? My current association apiary is a circle. Does the shape really matter?
After looking at various fields and discounting fields with only tractor access or with public footpaths or visible from public roads.
The following field is being offered - it is an occasional livestock field. The farmer is willing to setup fences; once the location is agreed. Just need to figure out the best location.
The image below is a not-to-scale mud-map of the field.
The right of the image is a dense copse of +50m between the field boundary and the public road.
The top of the image just above the fence is a non-public farm access track.
The field gate is used semi-regularly for access to other further fields.
Which position would folks select? (1), (2) or (3).
The "best" location in my opinion is (1); also the farmers preferred location; however, the farmer wishes that the hives be behind the hedge which isn't very long and very close to the gate.
Maybe, too close for folks getting in/out of tractors/cars to open/close the gate if the bees go "defensive" - am I over thinking this? How far from the gate would people recommend? 5m? 10m?
Next best location in my opinion is (2)... though not south facing; but would get afternoon sun.
Location (3); not south facing and would be in some shadow - but has the advantage of requiring less fencing.