My first Year Beekeeping

[SkFarm25]

Just the other day I was saying how it didn't look like I would be able to start my own hive this season. Another project that would be put off another year. This morning a relative of mine that used to have close to 20 hives and has since downsized over the years had decided her and her husband wanted to sell the rest of their operation and called me to ask if I wanted first dibbs at what they had. They said they had a storage unit full of hives and equipment and sent me over a list of things they had.

- at least 10-15 brood supers
- at least 30-35 honey supers
- 5 bases and lids
- wax cutters x 2
- hive smoker
- two full suits (mens S and Mens XL)
- 3 or 4 pollen collectors
- pollen feeder (large)
- mason jar syrup feeders x 4
- large storage barrel with valve
- 30 + comb honey frames
- a box of new PVC frames
- Western Beekeeper reference manual (our honey bible)
- winter insulated wrap with cover for 5 hives
- various strainers, pails, finishing containers, etc.
- large electric extractor
- lots more misc.

They gave me a smoking deal I couldn't resist and Ill be picking it all up late next week weather permitting. I'll be ordering my packages of bees first thing Monday and I'm super excited to start this new adventure! I might have to start filming all my goings on at the farm like some of you guys.

[bk]

Sounds like you won the lottery!  Good luck with the adventure and let the learning begin.

[farmertrappe]

Sweet, bee keeping can be a exciting, frustrating, rewarding and plain drive ya nuts hobby. But the rewards and experience is awesome. Have fun, I switched my hive bodies yesterday and ended up sitting and watching the bees fly for half hour.

[nytrapper23]

That's awesome . Take lots of video

[rendezvous]

Very cool, looking forward to watching the process and progress! 

[histopicker]

That is so awesome!!Karma to you sir. You will soon begin to see everything around you a little differently. Have fun!

[Deleted]

Nice!

I've been following Histo and others posts on this topic for awhile. And, doing a lot of other research online. It seemed very complicated at first, but the more I dive into info the more intrigued I get, with a firmer understanding of things involved. While it by no means seems easy, and there's a ton more I need to learn, I might get into this. A buddy at work has a son that runs around 20 hives, and is a wealth of knowledge. He may bring over a complete hive set-up this spring, and show me the ropes thru and entire season to see if it's something I want to get into.
I do know this, after pricing hives, I would be building everything I can get away with myself

[bk]

Mar 23, 2015 17:02:23 GMT -5 @charder said:

Nice!

I've been following Histo and others posts on this topic for awhile. And, doing a lot of other research online. It seemed very complicated at first, but the more I dive into info the more intrigued I get, with a firmer understanding of things involved. While it by no means seems easy, and there's a ton more I need to learn, I might get into this. A buddy at work has a son that runs around 20 hives, and is a wealth of knowledge. He may bring over a complete hive set-up this spring, and show me the ropes thru and entire season to see if it's something I want to get into.
I do know this, after pricing hives, I would be building everything I can get away with myself

CJ, that would be a great way to get your feet wet without the investment and while having a mentor with a vested interest. 

As far as I'm concerned, building your own hives is the way to go.  Saves a lot on the pocketbook and gets some skin in the games on a personal level. If you are looking for free woodenware plans, check out www.tc.umn.edu/~reute001/Plans.html

[Deleted]

Thanks for the link