Switched to 8 frame langs

[bk]

Finally made the switch in hopes my back appreciates the move.  Bees were pretty confused but are settling in nicely.




10 frame deep of bees, brood and honey goes 80 pounds.  8 frame goes 64.  A ten frame honey super weighs 40 pounds while the 8 frame is 32.  Wish I had done this sooner.  Cutting down 10 frame equipment is a pain, but worth it...I hope.


The Saz hive had 10 frames of brood already while the Carni had five.  Impressive start to the season.

[swampcat]

Looking good BK..

I put mine in 8 frames last season, this season I am trying nucs.. I'm not planning on robbing this season..

they are really building up fast..

[farmertrappe]

With age comes wisdom and aches and pains, good move. Seeing the pic of your hives makes me want to get some hives going again.

[bk]

May 9, 2019 7:03:38 GMT -5 farmertrappe said:

With age comes wisdom and aches and pains, good move. Seeing the pic of your hives makes me want to get some hives going again.

Aches and pains for sure, Farmertrappe.  Wisdom, one can always hope.  The circle of life goes on.

When the time is right you'll have bees again.  Pun intended... they are a bug that bites.

[old243]

I have been switching to 8 frame as well, and 5 frame. My mentor has his bees in 10 frame, but I think he is hurting , handling the big boxes. Bees are doing well, got through the winter , with no losses. Gave them lots of feed fall and early spring. Have supers added'


A useful thing that I made, and find useful. A plywood adapter, cut out of 3/8 plywood. Several sizes. 10-8, 10-5,8=5. Cut the center out to suit. I am using on a 10 frame hive, with queen excluder. Then adding 8 frame honey boxes. You could also use 5 frame supers if too heavy. Or 2 - 5 frame side by side. Old buggers , can make things, to keep their backs happy.good luck old 243

[old243]

Just noticed in your hive pictures. Is that a 2 frame nuc at the end. I saw them on barn yard bees , u tube and thinking about trying them. He explains how he raises queens in them. old 243

[bk]

Jun 19, 2019 8:05:00 GMT -5 old243 said:

Just noticed in your hive pictures. Is that a 2 frame nuc at the end. I saw them on barn yard bees , u tube and thinking about trying them. He explains how he raises queens in them. old 243

I have 8 frame full hives and five frame nucs. I did have to resurrect some old ten frame equipment recently as I ran out of my standard equipment while capturing swarms.





I check out the two frame nucs on barn yard. Thanks for the question.

[swampcat]

Man your right about the weight, I'm in 5 frame mediums.. the other day I added a box under the top box.. thinking it would be a piece of cake I grabbed on and pulled the top super off and standing there.. found I couldn't do much else with it.. the wife fumbled around with putting the new box on and I was in trouble holding that thing..
sure glad she was there.. sometimes wives come in handy..

[old243]

I have one hive that started out, in a 5 frame deep. Moved an old queen  that I was replacing, into it. She went right to work Now a double 5 frame deep. Added 2 med 5 frame supers. Also stole a frame of brood and honey.From it and Put in a 2 frame nuc . There is a young queen in it now. I will likely move the young queen to replace her mother. Very interesting bugs. 


Really like the 8 and 5  frame boxes, Not as heavy old243

[old243]

Went through my hives yesterday. All made it through winter. Mostly in 8 frame double deeps , left a honey super on several. Used sugar syrup last fall , with tea tree oil and wintergreen added. Fat bee man formula. Supposed to control Nosema. Didn't see any evidence of it, But they were out on cleansing flights. It will be a while before we have any nectar flows, Will keep an eye on them. Plan on trying  barnyard bees two frame deep, mini nucs to raise queens. Hope all your bees got through the winter . old 243

[bk]

Three of my 8 frame hives over wintered.  Lost my oldest hive in January cold snap and my two nucs were unable to survive a mice invasion.  Just starting to get some pollen going on the willows, so I'm confident that those that are alive will stay alive.  Waiting for the spring flow.

Helped step son build two frame nucs for raising his Badger State queens the other day.  He wants 45 for this years queen project.  Check it out at www.facebook.com/Linden-Drift-Honey-Bee-Farm-1673582579437195/

Good luck!

[old243]

Haven't been on this site since spring . Started with 3 8 frame deeps , mentor sold most of bees I kept 3. Have 5 full hives now. We raised quite a few queens in 2 frame nucs several expanded into 5 frame nucs. Sold some queens. I found that you really have to watch the 2 frame nucs or they will get robbed out. Probably should be kept away from strong hives. Will take the last of our honey off tomorrow. Then into fall feeding and mite treatment. Before putting them to bed for the winter. Hope everyone had a good summer. Keep safe. old243