Big colonies

[jonnybeegood]

How big can can you make a colony, is there a limit? I ask because i originsally only wanted 3 colonies, i now have 5 large colonies & 4 nucs, i dont want to sell the nucs so can you just keep combining colonies if you give them room?

 

[Dishmop]

If you can reach high enough..

 

[dpearce4]

and the stand is strong enough

 

[Dishmop]

and the stand is strong enough

and has guy-ropes..

 

[jonnybeegood]

A hive with 6 supers as in another thread must weigh over 200lb surely, so a large colony wouldnt be that heavy, its more the weight of full supers on top i guess.

 

[Arfermo]

Wanna buy a ladder?

 

[pargyle]

It's not just that ... it's when you are inspecting two or three brood boxes full of bees - you have to take boxes off and put them somewhere and you end up with bees EVERYWHERE !! If they are not absolute ***** cats I would contain your enthusiasm and either keep them in separate brood boxes or sell the nucs and make a few quid.

 

[Finman]

.
I have that kind of hives.it is happy to lift boxes when they are full of honey. Not happy if they are empty and light to lift.

That hive needs good pastures, that hives catch a good yield. If big hive has not enough work, it will swarm.

6 supers capped means 200 lb honey and twice filled 400 lb honey.

So, you get UK honey record just joining hives. .... Instead of 30 lb/hive.

I bet that you get better yield, when you sell extra hives.

.

 

[Finman]

A hive with 6 supers as in another thread must weigh over 200lb surely, so a large colony wouldnt be that heavy, its more the weight of full supers on top i guess.

So you join two hives, which has brood box and 3 supers. If you do it wrong time, hive will swarm. Then you make AS, and you are in start point again. Make ready 3 boxes foundations.

Now you have 5 normal colonies, and when they start to swarm, you make AS and you will have 10 big hives and few mating nucs.

 

[Nige.Coll]

Build up in the summer and at the end of the season combine them back to the number you want.
Gives you a chance to pick the best queens to keep and go into winter with large colonies.

If they are nice bees why not sell some nucs always beginners looking for bees.

 

[jonnybeegood]

The nucs i made have last years Queens in i removed from my hives, is that acceptable to sell rather than a new Queen? They are nice bees, no nastiness at all.

 

[Cussword]

I should think it would be OK, as long as you tell people what they're getting & charge accordingly. Are there any newbees at your association that you could help out at a discounted price, (or even free)?

 

[Dishmop]

The nucs i made have last years Queens in i removed from my hives, is that acceptable to sell rather than a new Queen? They are nice bees, no nastiness at all.

Well at least the queen has overwintered.. and doesnt need an MOT

 

[Jeff Buzz]

Is this what you mean???

 

[jonnybeegood]

I should think it would be OK, as long as you tell people what they're getting & charge accordingly. Are there any newbees at your association that you could help out at a discounted price, (or even free)?

Not many newbies around here really & the Association makes up nucs for newbies to buy.

 

[YorkshireBees]

and has guy-ropes..

I bought some ground anchors from http://tinyurl.com/njud6pa

Combined with a 5m cargo (ratchet type) strap I find this helps keep hives secure even in more exposed apiaries!

 

[pargyle]

The nucs i made have last years Queens in i removed from my hives, is that acceptable to sell rather than a new Queen? They are nice bees, no nastiness at all.

Nothing wrong with last years queen ... if you can demonstrate a reliable layer and good laying pattern then she's worth the same as a this years nuc. She will need a proper brood box in a month if not less ... nice colony for this year and a good start to next year. At least £125 - £140 down here.

 

[YorkshireBees]

Nothing wrong with last years queen ... if you can demonstrate a reliable layer and good laying pattern then she's worth the same as a this years nuc. She will need a proper brood box in a month if not less ... nice colony for this year and a good start to next year. At least £125 - £140 down here.

I agree, a proven track record is sometimes worth more than a new queen.

 

[Obee1]

it costs more to buy a nuc of overwintered bees with a 2014 queen than a 2015 queen and nuc.

 

[jonnybeegood]

it costs more to buy a nuc of overwintered bees with a 2014 queen than a 2015 queen and nuc.

Yes but this is an overwintered Queen but not an overwintered nuc, it is made this year. That would be different in price to an overwintered nuc surely?