First let me say my mentor has just had a large section of his lung removed and just got over open heart surgery and a near fatal heart attack. He was going to sell me two of his strongest hives complete with bees drawn comb etc. He's a family friend and had been in the honey business for about 56 years. I fear I will not have the oppertunity to learn from him before his passing. His wife is fully aware of his wishes and will sell me the hives if the worst happens. I have two main questions.
What is a fair price for a complete hive with gentle bees?
When I say complete hive I mean, bees, two brood chambers, two med. supers and all the other essentials. I know the gentleman was going to give me a cheaper than dirt price but if something should happen to him I want to be more than fair to his widow.
Second. When I move the two hives, should I do it at night? My mentor told me I would close the entrance, I guess I do that at night too. After I get them home to I leave them shut up a couple of days to get them addjusted to the place, or just let them go?