Hive configuration in Michigan?

[Sprig]

Hive configuration in Michigan?

What hive configuration does everyone use in northern climates like northern Michigan?
Two deeps, three mediums, one deep two mediums, ect? And why do you use that configuration?

Thanks
Sprig
God willing & the creeks don’t rise & I’ll be there.
S&C

[Michael Bush]

>Two deeps, three mediums, one deep two mediums, ect? And why do you use that configuration?

Not in Michigan but it's pretty cold around here. Double deeps are the most common. Those running mediums usually use three mediums. I run somewhere between two and four eight frame mediums depending on the size of the cluster. Between splits, queen rearing and feral bees, the cluster sizes vary a lot.

[MountainCamp]

I run mostly (2) deeps and then supers during the honey season.
I run mostly (2) deeps and an empty box, paper and granular sugar on the top bars for winter.

[Panhandle Bee man]

On average you will find either 2 deeps, or 3 Illinois/mediums for a brood chamber. Some other popular variations maybe 3 deeps, or 4 mediums. Some not so popular variations that you might run across are 1 deep, and either a shallow, or medium.

Here's the basic concern for your area, you will need about 100 lbs of honey in your hive for the bees to overwinter. A deep hive body will hold about 80 lbs of honey when filled (the overall weight will be about 100 lbs). A medium will hold about 45 lbs of honey when filled. So using 2 deeps will just barely get you to 100 lbs, as there will be frames filled with pollen, some open frames where the hive has been raising brood, etc.. That is why you read so much about feeding, and warm fall weather on this website.

If I was starting out again, and my goal was honey production, I would definately use mediums. As I get older, deeps just are not fun anymore.

[Michael Palmer]

My configuration is two deep and a medium. This allows the bees to store the 80 or so pounds of honey needed and raise enough young bees for winter.

[BigDaddyDS]

(I just thought SOMEONE from Michigan should chime in on this one!)

I'm running two deeps. Reasons? Well, I have personal theories about not wanting to break up the comb between boxes, so I want as much "unbroken" vertical surface as possible. (Anyone remember Jumbo boxes, which were deeper than deeps?) And, that also means that late in the season, I don't disturb burr comb, but that's another post, isn't it?

The other reason? I'm a younger guy, and can still handle deep boxes. This may change in a year or two (or more, hopefully!), but for right now, 80 lbs. is manageable.

DS