How many 8-frame medium supers to start

[LaureyB]

Hi All! I am new to the forum and new to bees. I have decided to start with bees using 8-frame medium supers. I understand that in the 10-frame world, it's pretty much traditional to begin with one deep and add a second (as growth indicates) to form the basic hive body, with supers being added for honey.

My questions are: Starting out using the 8-frame (7 actually, with spacers) mediums, should I hive my nuc with two mediums and add a third as growth indicates, or start out with one and add a second? And how many supers is a good permanent size for the hive body? Thanks in advance!

[Michael Bush]

>Starting out using the 8-frame (7 actually, with spacers) mediums, should I hive my nuc with two mediums and add a third as growth indicates, or start out with one and add a second?

I would NOT use the seven frame spacers. I would crowd all the frames together in the center. Actually what I do is shave the end bars down to 1 1/4" and put 9 frames in. With seven frames of foundation you may get some vary funky comb.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#framespacing
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfaqs.htm#messedupcomb

Once the combs are drawn, I'd space them seven or even six in the SUPERS. But only the drawn comb and not just foundation, and only in the supers, and not in the brood nest.

I'm a big believer in giving bees just the room they need, up until the main honey flow. As far as what you start with, put the package in ONE box until it's 80% drawn and then add the next. This gives them a much quicker start. You CAN put them in as many boxes as you like and they will probably do ok.

> And how many supers is a good permanent size for the hive body?

I assume you mean for brood? If the boxes are all the same size, why worry about it? Just add boxes as they are needed. I guess if you insist on a queen excluder then I'd give them four eight frame medium boxes (with 8 or 9 frames in each) for brood.

As far as for the hive, you can only get so high before you can't reach and you need to harvest. How high that is depends on how tall your hive stands are and how tall you are. I try not to get too far over my head as lifting a full box back down is a lot of work.