I had two last year. Both failed come spring (with abundant stores.) So I installed THREE packages on the drawn foundation and honey stores; one hive swarmed, so now I have FOUR! .... And I am already visualizing the bench for the next 8!!! ...I am thinking a bakers dozen, about 13 hives, would be about right. (a girl can dream!! :-D) That way, I figure I'd have plenty of hives to absorb the losses, draw comparisons to, and draw brood or bees from. Losing a hive would also become less of a big deal. More is better right? ....something about can't be too thin, too rich or have too many bee hives!! 8-)