Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => RAPID BEEYARD GROWTH => Topic started by: JP on March 26, 2010, 10:42:56 am

Title: Expanding---A Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: JP on March 26, 2010, 10:42:56 am
Well folks my life will be changing this year. Looks like I will be greatly expanding my apiary. That means more bee hives, lots more!

I recently acquired two new beeyards and will possibly gain access to another.

That would bring me up to 5 beeyards and my little incubation site at the house.

One of the new sites is approximately 40 acres.

Why am I doing this? How will my life change?

Thinking of providing survivor stock bees for sale, packages and queens. Alan Bukley says he will help me with the particulars and most likely he and I and Bailey, my buddy in Raceland can all help each other out.

I will still be doing cut outs and chasing after swarms but if everything works out I will be able to be more selective in those I choose to do.

Anyway, wish me luck please. The most I've ever run personally was 55, at 40 now but may be at 100 or even more by the end of this season if things go right.


...JP




Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: John Schwartz on March 26, 2010, 10:43:57 am
Excellent, JP!!!
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: hardwood on March 26, 2010, 11:14:04 am
I wish you the best of luck JP! Lord knows you've got your work cut out for you. Holler at me if I can assist in any way!

Scott
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: CVBees on March 26, 2010, 11:48:33 am
Well I know where I need to move if I need a Beek job.. 80)    I just wish my wife and kids could handle the heat..I was raised up in SC and personally don't mind dodging the occasional june bug at dusk.  Oh well I will live on vicariously through JP. 

Hey JP do you think it would be wise to possibly cut a hole in the front of this tree to extract the hive.  I am trying to help out Crcurrie with saving this hive but he lives in DC and this is vacation property.  Right now we are waiting 2 weeks or so for a possible swarm so he can have other bees on his property somewhere and then I (maybe) will do this cutout.  The hive is just below the crook in the tree..

(http://img443.imageshack.us/i/trouthouseclimbingtree.jpg/)
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: fermentedhiker on March 26, 2010, 01:52:07 pm
Congratulations JP, I certainly look forward to hearing the updates on how it goes this season.
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: annette on March 26, 2010, 01:56:11 pm
Thats great JP. Good to be able to reap the benefits of having so many bees. I even had the thought I could make a nuc or 2 and sell them.

I wish you all the best. With your upbeat and positive attitude you will surely be a success.

Sincerely
Annette
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: wd on March 26, 2010, 03:20:50 pm
 Good luck and Way to go JP .. Congrats !!!
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: KD4MOJ on March 26, 2010, 04:40:04 pm
JP... and to think I'm waiting to catch my first swarm!!!   :shock:

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

Congrads anywho!!!

Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: JP on March 26, 2010, 05:07:45 pm
Well I know where I need to move if I need a Beek job.. 80)    I just wish my wife and kids could handle the heat..I was raised up in SC and personally don't mind dodging the occasional june bug at dusk.  Oh well I will live on vicariously through JP. 

Hey JP do you think it would be wise to possibly cut a hole in the front of this tree to extract the hive.  I am trying to help out Crcurrie with saving this hive but he lives in DC and this is vacation property.  Right now we are waiting 2 weeks or so for a possible swarm so he can have other bees on his property somewhere and then I (maybe) will do this cutout.  The hive is just below the crook in the tree..

(http://img443.imageshack.us/i/trouthouseclimbingtree.jpg/)


First off, thanks for all the encouragement folks.

CVBees, as you can see the picture didn't come out. If its a tree that won't be coming down, no sense in cutting into it. Catch swarms from it.


...JP
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: beee farmer on March 26, 2010, 11:33:03 pm
JP,
  I am just up the raod from you.  I went from 2 hives 3 years ago to 97 now.  Lots of swarms, cut outs, splits and graftiing.  Not that I think I know anything you dont, any time I can help and or relate some of the many mistakes I have encountered to you to keep you from making the same feel free to let me know.  I am down in your area occasionally working and would be happy to help. 

Mike
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: schawee on March 26, 2010, 11:56:18 pm
jp,good luck in your new venture.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               schawee
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: specialkayme on March 27, 2010, 12:28:46 am
Good Luck JP, lord knows you have plenty of work ahead of you. I know it will all work out in the end!

I went from 2 hives 3 years ago to 97 now.

Now that sounds like an interesting story!

 :pop:
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: Highlandsfreedom on March 27, 2010, 12:33:58 am
Looks like good times in the neighborhood coming up for you I know you will have a grand time!! Keep us posted with pics if you can. 
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: lenape13 on March 27, 2010, 07:41:26 am
Good luck on your new adventure.  Now we all know where we can find good bees when we need them.  Just wondering, do Beemaster members qualify for a discount???? :-D 8-) :-P
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: JP on March 27, 2010, 08:39:04 am
Good luck on your new adventure.  Now we all know where we can find good bees when we need them.  Just wondering, do Beemaster members qualify for a discount???? :-D 8-) :-P

I will do my best to be fair with all I deal with, especially the people of this good forum. I have made some wonderful friends for life from this forum.

In fact, I am at uncle Bud's right now waiting for his snoring butt to awaken so we can go catch some bass!


...JP
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: lenape13 on March 27, 2010, 07:42:01 pm
That's good to know.  I can send you your first customer.  She answered my bee removal ad on Craigslist, not because she needed bees removed, but so that I could bring her the bees.  After all, she attended a seminar last fall and she's ready to be a beekeeper.  Since she thinks I have all the bees I need, I should supply her, free of charge, of course.  Some people are just so amazing....  I gave her a few references as to where she could order bees.  Surprisingly, I haven't heard back from her, HMMMM.   :-\
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: slaphead on March 30, 2010, 12:51:47 am
Congratulations and good luck with the expanded venture JP.

SH
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: Keith13 on March 30, 2010, 05:35:15 am
Brother you know I will help ya as soon as I get back

Keith
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: JP on March 30, 2010, 09:19:48 am
Brother you know I will help ya as soon as I get back

Keith

Ain't still wearing that LSU hat around those russians anymore right??  :-D

Be safe and call me when you get back.


...JP
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: Delmer on March 30, 2010, 10:17:09 pm
Good Luck with the new endeavor !
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: Natalie on March 31, 2010, 12:58:24 am
Wow Jp Good for you! It sounds like you have all the help and support you need to take on this new adventure. I wish you the best getting it all going. :)
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: JP on April 04, 2010, 10:44:11 am
Its Easter Sunday, Its been a long week, I have lots of frames to build I'm at 46 colonies now and if I can get my butt moving there are three swarms I know of for the taking right now.

One is gold as they are in a trap I left at a customer's house last yr which we caught 2 in last yr. One is in a small tree uptown new Orleans and the other is in Houma, about 30-35 minutes from me.

Decisions vs laziness vs being worn out from a long week.  :-D


...JP
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: KD4MOJ on April 04, 2010, 10:46:54 am
JP i hope you have a bountiful harvest this year to pay for all the woodenware!   :)

...DOUG
KD4MOJ

Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: hardwood on April 04, 2010, 12:21:48 pm
Buck up there kiddo, before you know it it'll be winter and you'll be twiddling your thumbs again! I've had to all but stop my day job with how crazy the swarms have been already this year. I picked up 3 last week and had a cut out just yesterday. Had to order 2500 unassembled frames from Dadant for pick up next week...seems they're way behind on assembled ones.

I'm really looking forward to kickin' back a little at Bud's!

Scott
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: JP on April 04, 2010, 01:24:32 pm
http://img.750g.com/galaxie/123/1870/4439/cochon_de_lait_a_la_broche_(grill).jpg (http://img.750g.com/galaxie/123/1870/4439/cochon_de_lait_a_la_broche_(grill).jpg)


...JP
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: jimmy on April 04, 2010, 03:46:18 pm
JP ,I pray your endeavor goes right and and knowing the positive  person you are,I am sure it will. Great you are doing something for JP. Wish I was able to come help you.You have been a great friend to know. Jim
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: JP on April 04, 2010, 05:30:20 pm
And Jimmy you know if there's anything you two need, please let me know. How are you guys feeling?


...JP
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: Grandma_DOG on May 08, 2010, 03:31:45 am
Thumbs up to you, JP. Remember to have fun expanding, often we forget.

I'm kicking butt this spring catching swarms, but I'm not ready to get bigger so I need to  sell off *alot* of hives and nucs this spring.

Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: bull on May 13, 2010, 12:07:02 am
Go get them JP , i wintered 1 hive , now there's 5 and i'm sharing with the old timers .
7 swarms and 1 cut out ,soon the weather will brake and they will swarm again.
rigging trailers to move the boxs , and neck deep with my Queen about the bee's.
Just wait till my order of supplys come to the house.
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: JP on May 14, 2010, 01:16:58 am
Go get them JP , i wintered 1 hive , now there's 5 and i'm sharing with the old timers .
7 swarms and 1 cut out ,soon the weather will brake and they will swarm again.
rigging trailers to move the boxs , and neck deep with my Queen about the bee's.
Just wait till my order of supplys come to the house.

My last order of woodenware, frames, top covers and bottom boards arrived two days ago and weighed 1500lbs!  :shock:


...JP
Title: Re: Expanding---a Lotta More Bee Hives
Post by: bull on May 14, 2010, 02:25:22 am
JP , I really enjoyed the photos . Nice to see some one else that gets in to a mess of bee's.
I ordered a cypress hive for the yard in town. (Vanity Hive )
need to wield on the trailers and fit box's on them , so i can move them around.
I was down last year ,trying to make up for it.