Which Type of Bees to start with.

[shazzer]

As a newbie I am trying to decide which type of Bee colony to start with.

Located in Cornwall.

Although we are under no illusion there will be a steep learning curve and will need help. I thought I would post here first to see if there are any recommendations for a new Beek.

Our goal is primarily
to establish a healthy roof top colony.
Its not a commercial type of enterprise just a hobby and doing our bit for the bee population.
My other half tells me that calm bees are preferred if that's possible.
We have joined the local Beekeeping association so looking forward to finding a mentor.
Reading lots at the moment in preparation for a NUC arriving.

Would be pleased to hear any recommendations for our first hive.

Thank you

 

[Robbo8916]

As a newbie I am trying to decide which type of Bee colony to start with.

Located in Cornwall.

Although we are under no illusion there will be a steep learning curve and will need help. I thought I would post here first to see if there are any recommendations for a new Beek.

Our goal is primarily
to establish a healthy roof top colony.
Its not a commercial type of enterprise just a hobby and doing our bit for the bee population.
My other half tells me that calm bees are preferred if that's possible.
We have joined the local Beekeeping association so looking forward to finding a mentor.
Reading lots at the moment in preparation for a NUC arriving.

Would be pleased to hear any recommendations for our first hive.

Thank you

Hi

When you say you're in preparation for a nuc arriving do you mean you have already ordered one?

I am also starting out this year although i have been researching for many years.

I have wooden national hives but everyone will have a different view/experience.

My only advice would be to try and source local bees if possible.

Good luck and have fun

 

[Cussword]

I would go for local bees. See if anyone in your Association is selling a nuc. Or If they know of a local breeder.

On the other hand, a lot of people recommend Buckfast Bees. There is a breeder on this forum.
Look up Hivemaker.

 

[pargyle]

Local bees from a known local source is the straightforward answer - if you have joined your local association they will almost certainly be able to help you source some local bees. If you start with a nucleus you will find that they are usually easier to handle than a full colony and you will be able to watch the colony grow and in your second year you will be more accustomed to handling a larger colony of bees. You really need to think about getting a couple of colonies as it gives you a lot more flexibility if you get any problems - and sadly, you wll need more kit (certainly by the second year) as you will need to accommodate the bees desire to swarm. Good luck and welcome to the best beekeeping forum anywhere.

 

[shazzer]

I have not ordered a NUC as yet. However I understand I must get on with it and make a decision soon to secure a NUC.

I am looking into 'Cornish Black Bees' to see if they will be suitable for us.

It seems most NUC's are delivered in National Standard Frames.
At the moment I am committed to Langstroth so may need to adapt.

Thank you for the welcome and responses.

 

[Bosleeu]

Buckfast from a reliable breeder. I have had most kinds of bees and they are a world apart. You need to go back to a pure queen every 2nd or third generation though - if they keep mating with the local drones they regress.

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

 

[Teebeeaitch]

Your choice, but how about local bees that can be introduced into any type of hive and come free of charge. It's called a swarm. Your association should help you but if they don't, resign.

 

[Erichalfbee]

At the moment I am committed to Langstroth so may need to adapt.

Thank you for the welcome and responses.

A Lang might be too big for Cornish black bees?
Icanhopit will surely advise.
Are you putting them in a Flow hive?

 

[alldigging]

to establish a healthy roof top colony.

Roof top? What's the access like.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Local bees from a known local source is the straightforward answer - if you have joined your local association they will almost certainly be able to help you source some local bees. If you start with a nucleus you will find that they are usually easier to handle than a full colony and you will be able to watch the colony grow and in your second year you will be more accustomed to handling a larger colony of bees. You really need to think about getting a couple of colonies as it gives you a lot more flexibility if you get any problems - and sadly, you wll need more kit (certainly by the second year) as you will need to accommodate the bees desire to swarm. Good luck and welcome to the best beekeeping forum anywhere.

with all of that - even if you are hell bent on only having one colony (I would still recommend two though) you will need equipment and space for temporary expansion when you conduct an artificial swarm unless you do some serious studying on Demarree or Snelgrove boards etc.

It seems most NUC's are delivered in National Standard Frames.
At the moment I am committed to Langstroth so may need to adapt.
.

it's no big deal, bit of a fiddle but doable. the other option is to find someone who will sell you a package to just pour into your bee ready hive. Buying and selling packages of bees is getting more popular by the minute - it has the benefit of no hive compatability issues and substantially less chance of disease spread.

 

[Hebeegeebee]

Local bees if possible. Check what they're like before you part with your cash and take someone with you of you can to have a look-see. Someone in your association may be able to help - or work with a mentor and perhaps get some from him/her when the time is right..

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Are you putting them in a Flow hive?

Oh nooooo shurely not!

I have not ordered a NUC as yet. However I understand I must get on with it and make a decision soon to secure a NUC.

Not really - if you have no experience and little knowledge of bees then it would be better to get a good grounding first - take a course with you local association (theory and practical) and/or get a mentor.
Early season nucs will either be overwintered (good but expensive) or maybe just made up with a bought in/imported queen introduced so could rang e from good OK to questionable. Regardless, expect to pay top dollar for spring nucs as there will be a big demand for them from either beginners or people wanting to replace winter casualties. You'd be better off forgetting much of a honey crop this year, getting a little experience under your belt and buying a nice strong mid summer nuc headed with a robust and fecund queen to take a strong colony into winter.

 

[Erichalfbee]

You'd be better off forgetting much of a honey crop this year, getting a little experience under your belt and buying a nice strong mid summer nuc headed with a robust and fecund queen to take a strong colony into winter.

You will grow with your bees

 

[shazzer]

Roof top? What's the access like.

Thank you to everyone for the replies, is there a setting somewhere to get notifications of replies to a thread or do I have to go looking each time?

Roof top access is good. Will be attending a Beekeeping association meeting this weekend. Will know more on how I can proceed from there.

I like the idea of the package with less risk of getting Beetles etc delivered with them.

 

[mbc]

I like the idea of the package with less risk of getting Beetles etc delivered with them.

Almost all packages available will be imported and have much more risk of bringing something in with them thats not already here than a locally raised nuc.

 

[shazzer]

Almost all packages available will be imported and have much more risk of bringing something in with them thats not already here than a locally raised nuc.

I will ask at the weekend what is available and recommended. In a perfect world it would be nice to get a local beek to supply me with a strong local NUC without bugs.

 

[snelgrove]

Always start with local bees, and a nuc of the current year and as already mentioned you can get used to handling your bees in the first year without having to deal with major management decisions in your first year. By year two you will be more capable.
Make sure the bees yo buy are easy to handle. Not just non agressive but not runners, that is soon as you lift a frame out they dash all over the place. Know beginners pack in thru it.

 

[theeggman]

"On the other hand, a lot of people recommend Buckfast Bees. There is a breeder on this forum.
Look up Hivemaker."

I would suggest you search Exmoor bees.
Not a million miles away from you and it's a nice drive along the north coast, on the odd 1 good day of the year.

Had the bees and can recommend them.

Advert Pete, but you shouldn't supply such good bees.

To the forum by the way.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Almost all packages available will be imported

quite a few switching to them over here now - ChrisB is one of them - far less risk

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Thank you to everyone for the replies, is there a setting somewhere to get notifications of replies to a thread.

Go to user CP (top left hand side of screen) go to settings and options select 'edit options' then select istant email notification in the default threa subscription mode