Happy Keeper Floor

[BeeJayBee]

Why would birds go after emulsion or, indeed, any paint?

They don't do it deliberately, but they pick bees off and sometimes take off flecks of paint.

And while on the subject of poly hives, I've read somewhere that the inside of a poly feeder should be painted - is that true?

Yes, to properly waterproof the inside of the feeder.

 

[Alli]

Mesh floor is good enough IMHO.
I take it you have hoffman self spacing frames in the brood box? make a thin dummy board to fit one end so it fits snugly against the last frame.
are the frames in the shallow SN1 or Hoffman? not that it really matters, if you're going to go brood and a half - then a matching eleven to the brood is essential - if the shallow is for a honey super only (separated by a queen excluder I would use ten frames with castellated spacers to keep them equidistant

@jenkinsbrynmair

Why 10 frames ,would I not be better using 11 frame castellated spacers and using the 11 frames?.
Or will the bees fill out the space with Honey if using 10 frames?
I seen dummy boards for sale so will send for one for the brood box. which will leave 11 frames and one dummy frame in brood..hoping to get this right as its all new to me.
Do you know how I can configure my setting so I can receive email alerts to posts and threads.I have already tried to contact a moderator but have not got a reply to this.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

@jenkinsbrynmair

Why 10 frames ,would I not be better using 11 frame castellated spacers and using the 11 frames?.

Less frames in each super, less uncapping, but deeper comb so more honey I find that bees will usually D) draw comb on foundation with a ten frame spacing fairly tidily - space them any more and they go a bit berserk with the creative brace comb drawing.

@jenkinsbrynmair

Do you know how I can configure my setting so I can receive email alerts to posts and threads.I have already tried to contact a moderator but have not got a reply to this.

go to 'User CP' (just above the 'home' icon on the top of the page), >settings and options>edit options, it's all in there

 

[Alli]

Less frames in each super, less uncapping, but deeper comb so more honey I find that bees will usually D) draw comb on foundation with a ten frame spacing fairly tidily - space them any more and they go a bit berserk with the creative brace comb drawing.



go to 'User CP' (just above the 'home' icon on the top of the page), >settings and options>edit options, it's all in there

Thanks
Whats the advantages /dis-advantages of going brood and a half

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

apart from giving the bees a slightly larger brooding area - none IMHO, most will say it's a right faff - better to go double brood and be done with

 

[Alli]

As this is my first season would I be better leaving the double brood option till next year?

 

[Finman]

As this is my first season would I be better leaving the double brood option till next year?

Absolutely it is best way this year. So you see, how much queen is able to lay brood. Then you are able to get new combs from foundations. When you have one brood box, put second under the brood box.

The most important, you learn to see, what is natural instincts of bee to make a nest.