ways to increase colonys

[Buzz Lightyear]

I have one hive only which I got in July as a Nuc. I would like to increase my numbers to about 6. What ways would you suggest? I would like to do it without relying on commercial nucs or swarms if poss.

[power napper]

Hi buzz L--do a search on "circle split" and see what you think.

[Maine_Beekeeper]

pollen substitute patti in early spring

[george dilley]

http://website.lineone.net/~dave.cushman/increase.html

[Finman]

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If you have one now and you want up to 6 , it is better to by more.

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[Fusion_power]

One strong colony in early spring can be split into 3 colonies that will build up and produce honey the same year. Its very difficult to increase more than 3 to 1 but can be done by sacrificing the honey crop and by heavy feeding.

1. Feed your colony as early as possible with both syrup and pollen substitute. For your area, this would probably be about the first of March.

2. Order 2 queens to be shipped to you at your fruit bloom nectar flow. Split your colony into 3 using the 2 new queens for 2 of the splits. As soon as the queens are accepted, resume feeding.

3. Order 3 more queens to be shipped to you 6 weeks after the first two. Split the 3 colonies into 6 at that time. The 3 colonies to be split will be unevenly developed. Take at least 1 frame of brood and bees from 2 frames for each split. Feed the new splits heavily after the queens are accepted. Continue feeding the colonies with the original and first two queens.

Fusion

[Finman]

.
Hey! Think about first years beekeeper who does not know how to nurse big hive or to grow it big. What about if whole operation fails? The only hive? It is not uncommon to first year beekeeper.

With experience I could put my best hive into 10 pieces but ....where you get next spring combs for 6 hives ... for excamble.

I sugget that keep that hive as big as it is possible. Learn to nurse normal hive. Give support from big hive to nucs or package bees in late summer. When you give from big hive emerging bee frame it gives a good burst to nuc.

To handle next summer 6 hives you need experience to run normal hives over the year. It is quite a step to get boxes and combs... and sell all that honey!

.

[swarm_trapper]

i definatly agree with you finman. for a first year keeper i would just buy more hives and in the folowing year only split them once dont sspread them to thin. after a few year you can take hives and make a pile of splits out of them if it is your wish just dont plan on any honey crop, if you split hard. Nick

[BjornBee]

As already stated, feed, feed, and feed some more.

Do not try to propogate your own queens. Too much of a production lag time for you to messing with that with your goals for this coming year. I think fusion has a good schedule.

I think jumping in with both feet and going crazy is well worth it. Not to make stupid mistakes that can be avoided (thats why your on beesource), but to increase your knowledge and experience as fast as you can. I look at myself, and realize that I have twenty seasons to do what I can before I am in my sixties. Not that I won't be keeping bees in my older years, but it shows me that you have just one good opportunity each season to grow and achieve goals. What I don't get done one year, will wait till next. And you only have so many shots....

To go from one to six is possible. But not if your late in manipulating the frames and missing the window of opportunity. Get your equipment lined up, have your queens ordered, start feeding as early as possible, don't rely on the nectar flow, and start preparing for winter as early as the middle of july, if not sooner. Anything not coming along at that time, combine, and minimize your risk and maximize your chances. Time will not be your friend, but it does not need to be your enemy.

Good luck.

[Mike Gillmore]

I guess one question I have is... why do you want the increase to 6 hives?

Are you planning ahead for increases in honey production, selling nucs?

If you are looking at the future to increase hives for "honey production", and you do not want to purchase more nucs, then you will probably have a better honey crop this year with just 2-3 strong hives than you would with 6 hives. And then the following spring you will be able to split them all again and have all very strong colonies that year too.

[wade]

Depending on how close or not other beees live to you, you might find yourself not only reaching 6 colonies before you know it, but may have trouble just keeping it to 6, unless you can show great restraint.

[longarm]

ain't that a fact?!

[BjornBee]

Always have extra equipment.

[Buzz Lightyear]

Thanks everyone, I'll give the circle split a go. Maine_Beekeeper how do I make these Paties? Are they anything like Cornish pasties?

[tony350i]

Hello Buzz Lightyear

>Cornish pasties? :D

I am using flying start and all you have to add is water.
I can send you the tel number is you want.

Tony

[ December 15, 2006, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: tony350i ]