When I was starting out my neighbor donated his long-empty hive: two semi-deeps (7 5/8") complete with frames. At the time I was glad to get free equipment, so I ran it through an autoclave to sterilize then used the boxes as upper brood chambers on two hives last year.
Fast forward to now, and both of those hives are booming, with the brood nest split between both boxes and plenty of honey still in the top. My swarm-control options are limited as I don't have any extra frames of that size, so I can't open the brood nest, pull out a nuc, etc. I'm now realizing why so many experienced beekeepers recommend standardized equipment...
My options, as I see them, are to:
1. Limit manipulations to the bottom box.
2. Buy some 7 1/4" frames. I see Western Bee carries them at a great price, but not so great once shipping is figured in.
3. Move all the frames into a deep. This will open a 2" vertical gap in the brood nest, which the bees will presumably fill with comb drawn downward from the bottom bars. I'm guessing this manipulation alone, while stressful for the bees, might prevent swarming. Frames can then be replaced one-at-a-time by deeps until I have a deep box full of deep frames.
Any recommendations? My ultimate goal is to have all hives in double deeps, with the semi-deeps used as extra honey supers.
Mark
Fast forward to now, and both of those hives are booming, with the brood nest split between both boxes and plenty of honey still in the top. My swarm-control options are limited as I don't have any extra frames of that size, so I can't open the brood nest, pull out a nuc, etc. I'm now realizing why so many experienced beekeepers recommend standardized equipment...
My options, as I see them, are to:
1. Limit manipulations to the bottom box.
2. Buy some 7 1/4" frames. I see Western Bee carries them at a great price, but not so great once shipping is figured in.
3. Move all the frames into a deep. This will open a 2" vertical gap in the brood nest, which the bees will presumably fill with comb drawn downward from the bottom bars. I'm guessing this manipulation alone, while stressful for the bees, might prevent swarming. Frames can then be replaced one-at-a-time by deeps until I have a deep box full of deep frames.
Any recommendations? My ultimate goal is to have all hives in double deeps, with the semi-deeps used as extra honey supers.
Mark