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Author Topic: How much room for a #3 package  (Read 1953 times)

Offline WayneW

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How much room for a #3 package
« on: April 29, 2009, 12:57:06 pm »
Picking up my 1st package next friday and I was wondering how much room to give them. I will be using Med 10 frame boxes. Is one enough.....or should i start with 2 Mediums. :?
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Offline oldenglish

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Re: How much room for a #3 package
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2009, 01:25:29 pm »
As I understand it two mediums = 1 deep, I think you may be able to start them out in 1 medium but they are going to fill it up pretty quick and could swarm early if you dont add the second soon enough.

Offline Natalie

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Re: How much room for a #3 package
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2009, 01:35:12 pm »
I started with one medium because thats what I was told to do and I will be adding the next one when they have 75-80 percent of the frames filled out in this one.

Offline Two Bees

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Re: How much room for a #3 package
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2009, 03:50:00 pm »
I think 3 mediums = 2 deeps. 

Starting with 1 or 2, I don't think really matters.  Just keep a watch on them and add that second (or third) medium box when 7-8 frames have been drawn.
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: How much room for a #3 package
« Reply #4 on: April 29, 2009, 08:47:53 pm »
One medium is more than enough.  I've often put packages in five frame medium nucs with foundationless or bare foundation.  They need an eight frame box with drawn comb.  A ten frame box is plenty big.
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Offline WayneW

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Re: How much room for a #3 package
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2009, 09:46:53 am »
They need an eight frame box with drawn comb.  a ten frame box is plenty big.

Would 1" starter strips of wax foundation be ok? Or would they be more likely to abscond. I have 10 frames with wax coated plastic foundation, but would prefer just using starter strips. Of course i dont want to lose my bees either  8-)
A beekeeper is not what i am, it's what i aspire to become.

 

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