"Those of you with outyards, what are some tips and tricks? Especially in the start-up phase? What pitfalls to look out for?"
"no but we'd like you to keep some bees in the back lot and we'll market the honey. "
they don't want a swarm trap, but they "want some bees in the back lot" and 'they' will "market the honey".
i am hoping jack (brooksbeefarm) chimes in on this thread, jack has many outyards.....
my initial response; outyards; some things to consider;
location; good forage for the bees? nectar and pollen.
protection from weather? winds, sun, snow?
how far?
your attention to the hive/s placed in an outyard?
your time?
will the out yard receive some neglect because of the distance and/or you didn't show up with what was needed for the out yard?
pests; bears, cows, horses, other small critters. bears destroy hives. cows/horses, can knock hives over or cause problems; skunks, raccoons etc....?
a written agreement on the outyard, property kept on...... not some simple thing in writing, or a verbal agreement or a 'handshake'.
i keep bees on 80 acres. it's bear country.
BEARS, and bears require fencing. i have moved hives and nucs within a 10 mile radius of the 80 acres. i do not care to provide the expense of a bear fence if someone asks me to place hives on their property. i rarely do.
marketing and selling honey....
in writing!
be smart about this, sell your honey for the price you want and don't settle for anything less. no trade, your price in cash. a gift of honey is alright for the opportunity. they sell your honey for your price, you receive the profit. hope i made sense here? been there done it.
i wish you well on your decision, you must decide if it is worth it or not!