Where to site hives

[Katherine]

I am having a rethink about the siting of my hives, since I realise they are too close to chickens and vegetable garden. I have access to 7 ha of land with a rich biodiversity.
Is there any reason not to have hives in several locations around the site (it's a plant nursery). My swarm trap is looking promising and rather than lug it 150 to where my other hive is, I wondered about just setting it down at the foot of the tree.

 

[BugsInABox]

I am having a rethink about the siting of my hives, since I realise they are too close to chickens and vegetable garden. I have access to 7 ha of land with a rich biodiversity.
Is there any reason not to have hives in several locations around the site (it's a plant nursery). My swarm trap is looking promising and rather than lug it 150 to where my other hive is, I wondered about just setting it down at the foot of the tree.

Occasionally you might want to move combs form one coloney to another eg test frame; and I guess lugging the kit around.

 

[Sutty]

I have mine in the garden with one of my flocks of chickens, not had problems between the two - the chickens are regularly seen directly in front of the hives less than a foot from the entrance.
I have noticed they will chase flies but not bees, so maybe they have learned the hard way!

 

[madasafish]

I am having a rethink about the siting of my hives, since I realise they are too close to chickens and vegetable garden. I have access to 7 ha of land with a rich biodiversity.
Is there any reason not to have hives in several locations around the site (it's a plant nursery). My swarm trap is looking promising and rather than lug it 150 to where my other hive is, I wondered about just setting it down at the foot of the tree.

If you like walking, lugging hive parts around and losing a hive tool and having to walk a fair distance to collect it, then it is a great idea.

But on a practical day to day inspection, honey collection - supers are heavy - and waste of your time - I would not recommend it.

Far better to find an out of the way sheltered spot with good access.

 

[Katherine]

If you like walking, lugging hive parts around and losing a hive tool and having to walk a fair distance to collect it, then it is a great idea.

But on a practical day to day inspection, honey collection - supers are heavy - and waste of your time - I would not recommend it.

Far better to find an out of the way sheltered spot with good access.

I thought that would be the answer. Wondered if there was anything bee related. So, on balance I think I'll stick with the spot I've picked. Thanks for your input.

 

[Katherine]

I have mine in the garden with one of my flocks of chickens, not had problems between the two - the chickens are regularly seen directly in front of the hives less than a foot from the entrance.
I have noticed they will chase flies but not bees, so maybe they have learned the hard way!

One of my hens was stung and died, and we get stung if not wearing protection when trimming grass.
Any upset in the apiary and the veil is necessary just to collect eggs. Otherwise I wouldn't move them.

 

[madasafish]

One of my hens was stung and died, and we get stung if not wearing protection when trimming grass.
Any upset in the apiary and the veil is necessary just to collect eggs. Otherwise I wouldn't move them.

You need to requeen your hives with something calmer.

I strimmed around and under our hives this pm - T shirt and shorts, no veil.
No stings either.

 

[steve1958]

I think it's quite reasonable for bees to become defensive when someone is strimming grass around the hive

 

[Katherine]

I am prepared for a bit of feistyness as we have Asian hornets here and it's my theory, yet to be backed up by more evidence...that they might be more able to defend themselves if they've lived in the wild and have attitude. My bees were from a swarm last year, and seemed quite well behaved, but this year the weather has been so atrocious it has been impossible to time the few inspections I've done with calm fine weather.
The unfortunate incident with the hen took place when I was doing an artificial swarm, badly timed as it turned out. As a beginner I probably upset them more than an expert would.
I think it sounds very unusual/lucky to have bees which will tolerate a strimmer. How do they cope with hornets btw?