First hive

[amzar123]

Hi
I'm looking to get my first hive.

What do you think of this one?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/national-..._Pet_Supplies_Bee_Keeping&hash=item2ecf79d84a

From the look of this the only thing I need to buy which is hive related is the frames? Am I right in thinking that?
I have a smoker, suit, etc

Thanks

 

[johnandyrob]

It is made from ply if you shop around you will be able to get a cedar one for about the same price try caddon hives.

 

[amzar123]

I didn't even notice that. Thanks,

What do you think of the type of hive?

 

[Edwardking]

Go for a commercial, in cedar.

 

[amzar123]

Go for a commercial, in cedar.

What makes you recommend this? Do i need two hives?

 

[Nige.Coll]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161237715553

it's a national not a 14x12 .
never bought any from the seller but he's the cheapest i have found.

 

[Davelin]

What makes you recommend this? Do i need two hives?

I would certainly advise you to pay for a cedar hive. You are better off with two hives in the long run, but one should see you ok this season if you are starting with a nuc.

The actual type of hive to use has been debated til the cows came home, went to bed and got up again.

Whatever you decide on don't get two of different types, stick to one type only.

 

[enrico]

Amzar, you don't sound too sure about what you are doing, which is understand as you have never done it, but ....... It may help if you have a hands on experience with an experienced beekeeper, they will be able to show you why certain hives are better than others and also help you to understand why you need quite a lot of equipment. It helps to have two hives as one of the secrets about keeping bees is controlling swarms and this generally takes another hive.
Remember that your bees are going to have to live in this hive for many years so the longer it lasts the better, otherwise it becomes a false economy to go for the cheapest!
Best of luck
E

 

[psafloyd]

It is made from ply if you shop around you will be able to get a cedar one for about the same price try caddon hives.

Just what I was about to say. AND it will be much lighter.

 

[psafloyd]

I would certainly advise you to pay for a cedar hive. You are better off with two hives in the long run, but one should see you ok this season if you are starting with a nuc.

The actual type of hive to use has been debated til the cows came home, went to bed and got up again.

Whatever you decide on don't get two of different types, stick to one type only.

Buy one new one and get a second hand one from Fleabuy.

 

[NickDub]

You might want to consider hanging on for a bit longer to see if anyone nearby is selling a hive with bees already in it e.g a retiring beekeeper. It's generally going to be cheaper that way and you may pick up a few tools / friendly advice into the bargain.

All the best

Nick

 

[amzar123]

http://www. caddon - hives .co.uk/National-Hive-with-Deep-Brood-14x12-and-Gabled-Roof

Is this a better option?

 

[Swarm]

Not really IMO.
When inspecting, it's your upturned roof on which you stack supers etc, much easier when the roof is flat.

 

[itma]

Amzar, you don't sound too sure about what you are doing, which is understand as you have never done it, but ....... It may help if you have a hands on experience with an experienced beekeeper, they will be able to show you why certain hives are better than others and also help you to understand why you need quite a lot of equipment. It helps to have two hives as one of the secrets about keeping bees is controlling swarms and this generally takes another hive.
Remember that your bees are going to have to live in this hive for many years so the longer it lasts the better, otherwise it becomes a false economy to go for the cheapest!
Best of luck
E

Don't rush into a first purchase (let alone with something less common, like a commercial - consider whether you are going to buy bees on frames and whether an odd frame like a commercial is going to overly restrict your supply options).

Handle some hives at your association, and at the apiaries of your new friends at the association, and then come to a decision based on (even a little) real experience rather than catalogue and eBay shopping.

One of the things about a standard national is that it is supposed to be just that - standard. OK, there are differences of materials, quality, workmanship and durability, which account for some of the differences in price.

Be very careful buying secondhand kit. Check carefully to ensure how standard it actually is. Beekeepers only reluctantly sell anything that might be useful - hence what is offered frequently turns out to be stuff the seller has decided is absolutely useless!

 

[alanf]

What most around here start with is a self assembly National kit. Thornes and Maisemore are the largest suppliers in the UK, look for what they call "budget" or "rock bottom". What you get, in cedar, is a deep brood, two shallow supers, roof, floor, crown board and queen excluder and all the frames and wax foundation. Price around 150 pounds delivered. Both offer 14x12 options if that's what you want for a bit more. The assembled option if you're not confident with the woodwork is another 40 or so. They are both established UK makers, reasonable value for a well known product, have a reputation for sorting out problems if there are any. Look for the delivery charges and what qualifies for free delivery to compare actual prices. Some prefer one or the the other supplier, I'd be happy with either. I'm not saying they are the only suppliers to consider, but it's a benchmark to compare others with.

Frames are usually self assembled from parts, it adds quite a bit over time to buy them all pre-assembled. One advantage of the kits above is that you get one hive worth of frames and foundation in the pack. Otherwise there are 11 frames in the usual National brood box arrangement but frames and foundation is usually sold in packs of 10. Not a problem to have some spare but first year it's easier not to have to sort out your spares storage too.

Caddon are an alternative, I know some who are happy with what they supplied. There are other local small scale suppliers around the country. The ebay guy selling assembled cedar hives for 85/90, with frames for 125 looks good value; not seen the product, just going on photos, description and brief feedback. If you're determined to get the cheapest option there are ply kits from Fragile Planet for around 50 quid, add your own glue and paint. That's plus delivery but two hives would be in the free delivery range. Probably not the cheapest for frames or foundation.

You pays your money, takes your choice. If you haven't seen hives in operation yet I'd strongly suggest you try contacting your local association. If nothing else, there are people there you can talk to about bees, hives and suppliers and get an idea about how things actually work out in practice.