Hello all. I've searched the forums and didn't find the answer, so if it's there - please redirect these questions there, and I'll review them.
I'm new to beekeeping, have decided at this time to use the 'std' 10-frame hives and have been reading alot. Basically, what I've noticed is that whatever works for you, is almost the 'norm' that will work. This seems to be the concensus for all sections, whether it's in the treatment/prevention of, number of boxes, location placements, etc. My question is centered around getting a better understanding of the brood box sizing from the more experienced and seasoned bee keepers. Here's my questions, based off of what plan I've decided to do. I want to use mediums for most everything, and have a few questions about the needs/requirements for Deeps. I currently have a single hive with a Deep, followed by mediums. In trying to NOT have deeps, mediums, small hardware and not having what I need - whenever I need it - how should I proceed with boxes.
1. Should I stay with 1 deep boxes for the brood, and continue following up the 'chain' with mediums? If I do this, the I'll need to only have/make 1 Deep for the bottom box, and everything else will be mediums. I'll also need to make my nuc as a deep, to allow splits down the road - but will only have to maintain medium hardware (frames, foundation, etc) for everything else.
Or,
Should I just start all my other hives with mediums? That way I'll only need 1 type of hardware for 'all' my boxes, whether they are 'brood' or 'supers'. I'd then make my nuc's for mediums and splits won't be any problem in transferring 'down the road'.
I don't plan on using any excluders and hopefully my queens will coorporate with this solution (lol). The concerns that I've heard from some people is that there isn't enough room in 2 medium supers (1 or 2 being used as brood boxes) to 'contain' the hive within here and there are problems down the road with the queen 'always' going up into the honey supers and laying.
thoughts, or suggestions?
mark
I'm new to beekeeping, have decided at this time to use the 'std' 10-frame hives and have been reading alot. Basically, what I've noticed is that whatever works for you, is almost the 'norm' that will work. This seems to be the concensus for all sections, whether it's in the treatment/prevention of, number of boxes, location placements, etc. My question is centered around getting a better understanding of the brood box sizing from the more experienced and seasoned bee keepers. Here's my questions, based off of what plan I've decided to do. I want to use mediums for most everything, and have a few questions about the needs/requirements for Deeps. I currently have a single hive with a Deep, followed by mediums. In trying to NOT have deeps, mediums, small hardware and not having what I need - whenever I need it - how should I proceed with boxes.
1. Should I stay with 1 deep boxes for the brood, and continue following up the 'chain' with mediums? If I do this, the I'll need to only have/make 1 Deep for the bottom box, and everything else will be mediums. I'll also need to make my nuc as a deep, to allow splits down the road - but will only have to maintain medium hardware (frames, foundation, etc) for everything else.
Or,
Should I just start all my other hives with mediums? That way I'll only need 1 type of hardware for 'all' my boxes, whether they are 'brood' or 'supers'. I'd then make my nuc's for mediums and splits won't be any problem in transferring 'down the road'.
I don't plan on using any excluders and hopefully my queens will coorporate with this solution (lol). The concerns that I've heard from some people is that there isn't enough room in 2 medium supers (1 or 2 being used as brood boxes) to 'contain' the hive within here and there are problems down the road with the queen 'always' going up into the honey supers and laying.
thoughts, or suggestions?
mark