I have two hives, each consisting of three medium 8-frame hive bodies (plus top and inner covers, screened bottom board, etc.). The guy who sold me my woodenware included one Mother Lode division board feeder with each hive. As I await the arrival of my package bees, I wonder about the best way to use the feeders:
I guess the most straightforward approach would be to make up hives consisting of just a single hive body, and to remove one or two frames on the end, replacing them with the feeder. But this means that instead of eight frames for my new bees, they will only have six or seven- at least until I am done feeding the syrup.
An alternative method comes to mind, and I'm wondering whether it has been done, and if so, if it is a good thing. Make a hive containing two hive bodies, with the lower body containing eight frames; this is where the bees will be placed. Cover that hive body with the inner cover, and then stack a second hive body on top. In the second hive body, place the division board feeder (and maybe some wadded-up newspaper to reduce the amount of empty space in the second hive body). Cover with the telescoping cover. With this method, the bees would have access to all eight frames of foundation from the beginning. On the other hand, the bees would have to climb up through the hole in the inner cover to the second story of their home in order to find the syrup.
Any thoughts? Those of you who've used division board feeders with eight-frame equipment, what has your experience been?
Regards,
Tim