Question about buying foundation

[kjim614]

What foundation would you recommend to buy and best place to get it from.

[Michael Bush]

That depends entirely on your philosophy of beekeeping.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesphilosophy.htm

Assuming you want my opinion, then it will be in line with my philosophy, which would be natural. My favorite foundation is no foundation.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm

But if I were getting foundation, cell size would paramount for me.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnaturalcell.htm

But here is my advice on foundation:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesoptions.htm#pf120
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm#styleofframes

[Roland]

We prefer Kelly over Dadant, although both are good. We found Kelly had a slightly smaller cell size, and liked the wires better.

Crazy Roland

[Cleo C. Hogan Jr]

I also like Kelly. Quality is number one.

Foundation is heavy, so, shipping becomes a factor also.

cchoganjr

[canoemaker]

Rite-Cell from Mann Lake is heavy and stiff--doesn't tend to sag or warp. Plus, shipping is free.

[MrHappy]

What do you guys think about small cell in the brood chamber and large cell in the supers?

[Michael Bush]

>What do you guys think about small cell in the brood chamber and large cell in the supers?

If you use an excluder, maybe. But then I'd put drone foundation in the supers. Easier to extract and the queen won't mistake them for worker cells.

[kjim614]

Which one would you recommend for the brood and super from Kelly.

[Michael Bush]

Without an excluder I'd either use all small cell or small cell in the brood nest and 7/11 in the supers. With an excluder (which I wouldn't do) I'd use drone foundation in the supers and small cell (4.9mm) in the brood nest.

What sheets (as opposed to cell size) will depend on the size and type of frame, but assuming deeps (I would run mediums) and assuming a Wedge top and divided bottom:

4.9mm:
https://kelleybees.com/Products/Deta...3337&grouped=1

Assuming shallow supers and no excluder 7/11:
https://kelleybees.com/Products/Deta...3339&grouped=1

I'm not finding wax drone, but I'm sure it's there somewhere. They have changed their foundation searches so you end up with choosing a precise frame type, which makes some sense but I would like to be able to look up "drone foundation" for instance, and the see what sizes it's available in...