when to add second hive body

[stonecroppefarm]

I am a new beek and expect two nucs to appear end of April. I plan to place each in a deep super to start. Then I plan to add a second deep super to each. When do I add this? Will I have to add another super (medium) the first year?

[indypartridge]

Add the second when they have drawn comb on 8 of 10 frames in the first.

Will I have to add another super (medium) the first year?

Depends on the bees, the weather, the nectar flow, etc. Have it ready, add it if/when they get the 2nd deep drawn out.

[Acebird]

Will I have to add another super (medium) the first year?

I would say you have a weak colony if you didn't get two medium supers on before the end of the season.  But what do I know.

[Hemlock]

I put my second Deep box on after the bees drew out 6 of the 10 frames in their first Deep box.   15 day later there were 6 frames of brood in the bottom Deep & 2 frames of brood in the upper Deep; with many more drawn out.  So i guess it worked well.

[Finski]

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I  put second box under brood box that heat of brood  does not escape to the empty box.

Bees are able to occupye combs downwards as they do in nature.

[Acebird]

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I  put second box under brood box that heat of brood  does not escape to the empty box.

Bees are able to occupye combs downwards as they do in nature.

When you lift up the brood box what keeps the bees from tearing out after you from the open bottom?

[Finski]

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I don't understand what you mean?

[Acebird]

I don't understand what you mean?

Well, I am sure they won't tare out after you but is there any concern with the bottom of the box being open that it would agitate the bees while you have the box in your hand.  I would also assume you have to put the brood box down on something flat so you can get the empty box in position and then place the brood box on top of that.

[Finski]

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I do not understand that either .....
I lifth the brood box off from bottom board, then I put on bottom board the new box an over it the brood box.  .. What is so special in that?

Joke or not, but a bad one.

[Kathyp]

When you lift up the brood box what keeps the bees from tearing out after you from the open bottom?

why would they be more apt to do it from the bottom than they are from the top?  i set my box on an empty box, lid, or extra bottom board.  then put the new box on bottom board and put old box on top.  if you do it with the lid still on, you actually have fewer bees flying than taking the top off and putting on a new box.

[Acebird]

why would they be more apt to do it from the bottom than they are from the top?

My thought was that you are picking the whole hive up, possible changing orientation somewhat, setting it down and then picking it up again and setting it down.  I have never done it before so I like to know what I am getting into before I try something.  Glad to hear it is not a big deal.

Can I assume that splitting a hive would be similar?  Just split the two boxes and then decide the arrangement of the frames for both boxes?

[Finski]

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Much of beekeeping is lifting and puting down boxes and changing their places.

It is better that you go to some more experinced and see how it happens.

[buzzbee]

Not trying to change the subject,this topic reminds me of a strange commercial:
I Lift Things Up and Put Them Down

But bottom supering is nothing new.

[hardwood]

Just snatch off the box and stand it on it's end (handle). I did it 50 times or so just today.

Scott

[Michael Bush]

>When you lift up the brood box what keeps the bees from tearing out after you from the open bottom?

The top is wide open.  Why would they react more from the bottom being gone?  If they are "tearing out after you" they would have done that when you took the top off and you probably either need to be more gentle or get a new queen...

>Can I assume that splitting a hive would be similar?  Just split the two boxes and then decide the arrangement of the frames for both boxes?

There are a lot of ways to go about it.  With small boxes, like eight frame mediums, I just do it by the box.  Two bottom boards and "deal" the boxes.

[Acebird]

they would have done that when you took the top off

Kathy already told me not to take the top off and I am going to listen.  :-D

Any of you older types interested in a purpose built winch that you could wheel up to a hive and crank up boxes similar to a boat winch?  I am thinking about whipping one up to save my old back.  I keep hearing that you should super from the bottom so is three boxes the most you should have to lift.  Shoot for a 300 pound capacity?

[Finski]

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That lifter would be an innovation in beekeeping. Save the old backs!

[tillie]

Acebird,

If you haven't done an inspection before there are videos and slideshows on the Internet (YouTube, my blog, other websites devoted to beekeeping) that will show you how it's done.  I think Brushy Mountain has a whole series of helpful videos.

Sounds like you are trying to visualize something in your head that you could see a movie or slideshow about and save yourself the energy of trying to make it up.

Linda T in Atlanta

[Acebird]

Ah thanks Linda.  Excellent, excellent slide shows.

So you slide the boxes back into position.  I could envision sheering a whole row of bees off when you get to the other side.

[Finski]

So you slide the boxes back into position. 

i have seen how many slide the box on its site it crushes bees quite much. Bees become mad with that system.

You should smoke  bees away ja then drop the box on site. Don't ask how high.
5 mm is an answer.

This is first time when some one ask how to lift a hive box.