How many hives

[beegrinner]

Hey guys I'm looking at getting in to some beekeeping soon my nana and uncles have 12 acres with a lot of bush and **** load of gorse just wondering how many hives I could put on a 12 acre block like that?

 

[beegrinner]

Here is the property here so plenty of bush and behind the bush is a big paddock with plenty of gorse

 

[Zante]

It's a bit like asking the length of a piece of string.

I'd start with two, easier to manage while you're still learning, and from those two slowly increase them with splits and artificial swarms until you're comfortable with the number of hives to handle. In the meantime you can see how the hives go and you should be able to see what size apiary that land is able to support.

 

[chrisb]

It's a bit like asking the length of a piece of string.

I'd start with two, easier to manage while you're still learning, and from those two slowly increase them with splits and artificial swarms until you're comfortable with the number of hives to handle. In the meantime you can see how the hives go and you should be able to see what size apiary that land is able to support.

Its not how big the land is but how much forage there is available to support a given number of hives

 

[Anduril]

You will only get pollen from gorse no nectar. What else is around there?

 

[enrico]

Sods law says that if you have three, one will be good, one middling and one poor, so three is an ideal. Start with one and see how you get on, if it survives, the following year with swarm control and splitting you will easily make three.
Make sure you have handled bees before you spend money
E

 

[B+.]

Sods law says that if you have three, one will be good, one middling and one poor, so three is an ideal
E

Enrico makes a very good point. Worker bees can fly for several miles so you needn't constrain yourself to the immediate vacinity. The quality of the stock is, however, worth considering.
As a beginner, the usual advice is that you join your local association, attend a beginners course over the winter months and get a good mentor who will guide you through your first year or two.

 

[Anduril]

There are a few NZ beekeepers who frequent this forum

 

[bpmurray]

If you're starting, do so in a manageable way. While a single hive is easier, I'd suggest 2 since that will give you an opportunity to move a frame of brood if you suspect you have queen problems, allowing you to recover if the worst happens. Next year, when you can see how well they do, how much stores they managed to accumulate, etc. you can decide what to aim for.

 

[Levitt53]

Definitely start with two. My first hive swarmed (not my fault) then I managed to leave them queenless (my fault but I'm inexperienced - what can I say). Anyway I picked up a free swarm from a generous fellow local beekeeper and donated a test fram and they now have a mated queen. I'd have had a completely wasted first year without the option of a second colony.

 

[snelgrove]

Start with what you can manage, two at most. Not what the area can take. As you gain experience then increase.

 

[Cussword]

Start with what you can manage, two at most. Not what the area can take. As you gain experience then increase.

It's what you can cope with, not the area.

 

[Griffo]

I'd get a shitload

 

[beegrinner]

Thanks guys. I was always going to start with 2 anyway don't want to rush in to things. Just wondering on average what amount to hives people would have on a block like that. You've all been helpful though so thank you

 

[maddydog]

All depends on what crops (if any) are grown, is it all mostly grass? What typically produces a yield in your part of nz? Are there any other beeks nearby? In answer to your question (until some gaps are filled in) between 0 and 8

 

[REDWOOD]

Not a good idea posting where you keep your bees especially with a map for unworthy beekeepers to find your hives

 

[snelgrove]

Not a good idea posting where you keep your bees especially with a map for unworthy beekeepers to find your hives

Sad state of affairs though when beekeepers steal other beekeepers hives. Been the victim of this. Makes you very wary of letting anyone know where your hives are.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Long way to drag your caravan to swipe his though

 

[Millet]

Long way to drag your caravan to swipe his though