For discussion of the various types of hives; Langstroth, Top Bar, etc., and how to do an initial setup. Things to consider, pros and cons, such as future extracting issues and supering. Frame and foundation types.
8-frame equipment is also good if you want to include younger kids. The 10-frame equipment is too big and heavy for most pre-teens to manage.I use 10 frame, but I'm fairly young (43) and in great shape, no bad back or knees. A lot of older beeks advocate the 8 frame medium super, and build the brood hive 3 boxes tall.
8-frame mediums are supposedly far easier to lift and manipulate than 10 frame. Something to consider.
What I ended up doing was building a one-story hive similar to a top bar, that I can use lang frames in. My advancing age loves it.for a beginner I would advise langstroth hives over top bar hives. I think they are easier to manipulate without damaging the comb. ...
again consider age, health, strength, and access to the hives (shallow =35 lbs, med = 50 lbs, deeps = 90 lbs).
i am trying to decide between 2 deeps or 3 mediums for my first hives.I have enjoyed using all mediums. It's been very nice to be able to move frames and boxes from top to bottom without having to think about it.
?? 40 frames divided by 8 per box = 5 boxes * 6.25 inches per box = 2 ft. 7.25 inches + a little over a foot for the hive stand, bottom board, vented top cover, etc... and you're still only at 4 ft. for 40 frames.40 frame hive in the 8 frame format can be 5ft or more.
>As far as height, that's one reason I went with top entrances, I could then put the hive on a four by four stand (3 1/2" off the ground) without skunk problems and that saved me another box in height.