More Than One Hive

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I am starting up my first hive this spring and have now thought that perhaps I should have got a second one in case I have problems with the first. What do you all think? The problem now is that I can't seem to find anybody that has any bees left for sale. I would have to get them shipped. Any suggestions? Maybe I could just get lucky and catch a swarm. :-\

[Kathyp]

i would have been good to start with two, but it's not a disaster that you did not.  i had only one my first year and lost it, but learned a lot.  check for a local beekeeping club. someone may have a nuc to sell now, or later. someone may also be willing to sell you a couple of frames of brood and bees and you could just buy a queen or grow your own.  good way to learn.

if none of that works, there is always next year....or you could get lucky and catch a swarm or two.

[riverrat]

Imo when just starting out it in bee keeping it is best to start with at least 2 hives. It will expand your learning curve. Gives you qa chance to compare the 2 hives. If one for some reason would become queenless or has other troubles you may be able to use the other hive to bail it out. Look around I am sure there is some guys out your way that would be willing to sell a nuc. Good luck

[gmcharlie]

I like Drapers for buying bees...  the packages have always had a lot more then 3lbs......  and they usually have some late...  the price went up this year,  but I have always gotten good packages and good queens from them in the past.

[Two Bees]

I vote for Two!

[WhipCityBeeMan]

I also vote two.  Of course 2 the first year turns to 4 the second year.  Then 10 and so on.  Thats my experience. 

[Two Bees]

That's what I planning................4 or maybe even 5 from splits.

[gmcharlie]

You won't be able to split that new hive the first year usually.   (there are exceptions I know)  But first year buildup when you have no established foundation or surplus honey stores  will need to be pretty much left alone.   splitting them will make it hard for them to store enough honey and build fast enough to overwinter.   you could feed and help them  but trust me  its cheaper to just buy 2 packages to start,  and ponder splits next year.   Darn suger prices are so high,,,,,

[rast]

 Two. As others said for comparison. If you only have one and it starts to seem to start getting weaker, you have a tendency to think, well, its time of year, lack of nectar, etc. Denial that something could be wrong until its too late. If you have two, queens being equal, they should rise and fall together. Yeah, I agree to forget about splits the first year. You need more knowledge than bees the first year.
 Don't count on luck and swarms unless they are common around you.

[annette]

I started with one and things went very well for me. They were nice and strong all the way along and even swarmed on me the next Spring (Hee! Hee!). But knowing what I know now, I would have started with two just in case.

[Michael Bush]

You do what you can.  Catching a swarm is a great plan.  Buying packages is more of a sure thing.  Nothing says you can't do both.

[BjornBee]

I think everyone should start with a minimum of two hives.

[MustbeeNuts]

Two is good!

[jdpro5010]

Two is definitely better, but if you listen to some of us you will have 15 or 20 before you know it! :-D

[bullybrink]

My second hive is on it's way. Thanks for all the advice guys. I never knew that beekeeping would be so addictive. I keep wondering now how many hives I could potentially keep in my backyard. :-D

[MustbeeNuts]

My second hive is on it's way. Thanks for all the advice guys. I never knew that beekeeping would be so addictive. I keep wondering now how many hives I could potentially keep in my backyard. :-D

Till the neigbors complain, no neighbors lots. LOL

[EasternShore]

Bee's are like Lays potatoe chips..can't EAT JUST ONE...I ended up with 4 my first season...

Also managed to talk the owner across the street into letting me use his unused 80 acres...and it has water...wooohooo

[superhoney]

Me too for the two hives your first time around. This is my first season as well and two seems to be very logical advice backed up by other keeper's experiences in many areas of this site.

Catching a swarm would be super cool as well! I turn my attention to that next season.  :evil:

Have fun with your bees!
Superhoney

 

[cundald]

Bee's are like Lays potatoe chips..can't EAT JUST ONE...I ended up with 4 my first season...

Also managed to talk the owner across the street into letting me use his unused 80 acres...and it has water...wooohooo

My plan are starting with two hives and seeing if I can pick-up a swarm.   I may also try to do a cut-out this summer, I know that its going to require me to nurse them along until following spring, but I feel it worth it!

The other thing that may limit the number of hive would be town regulation, my dad was limited to 4 hive per property inside town limits.

cundald