Hello I am a newbee taking the plunge. For ease and uniformity I have decided to use all mediums. My understanding is three mediums = two deeps, but how many mediums should I start out with on a hive with packaged bees coming in? One, two, or just go ahead and do three?
I'm curious about as well, I started two hives on all 8 frame mediums about a week and a half ago. I started with two each thinking that was closest to one deep. As of yesterday they have drawn out about 70% of one 8 frame medium. Given that I would think it's ok to start with one, but I'm interested to hear what more experienced voices have to say.
Add your next box as the previous one gets about 80% full. Keep feeding if no flow is on for drawing comb. Stop feeding once you get the number of boxes you want for brood, 3-4, then put one on to collect honey for your use. I am guessing that in Va. with a relatively mild winter you could get by with 3 mediums for brood. Check with a local beek.
Be aware that not all mediums hold the same number of frames. There are 8 frame boxes and 10 frame boxes. Obviously, with less frames per box you will need more boxes.
With a five frame medium nuc box and no drawn comb, I put a package in one box.
With an eight frame box and no drawn comb, or drawn comb, I put the package in one box.
With a ten frame box and drawn comb or no drawn comb, I put the package in one box.
When the box is 80% drawn, I add a box, or in the case of the five frame nuc, move them to a large box.
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