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Author Topic: How do I split from a deep to a medium  (Read 5875 times)

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Offline Jen

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How do I split from a deep to a medium
« on: January 18, 2014, 11:48:22 pm »
It just occured to me that when I split this spring, I'll be putting frames from a deep into a medium...??? Wait, they won't fit? scratching head
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Offline DMLinton

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2014, 12:32:54 am »
The "simple" solution might be if you are splitting a double deep - just put the upper deep on a new stand and let both build up into mediums.  Then get rid of the deeps after you have some medium resources built up.

At some point, when the mediums are well populated with frames of brood, you might want to switch the mediums down to the bottom position and put the deep on top or, if there is a really good flow going on, put a second medium on the bottom medium and put the deep on top of it.  I would think that you want a very populace hive to do that as there will need to be lots of nurse bees to go around and look after the remaining eggs and brood in the deep.

Disclaimer: I have never managed bees.
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2014, 09:02:56 am »

  Thats pretty much what i did Jen.  I have two hives left in deeps. I will split them this spring and put mediums on top of them. They will go into next winter with a bottom deep and two mediums. Next spring I will pull the deep when the bees are in the top of the mediums and give them a new medium on top. Its not fast but seemed to work with the least amount of stress or struggle.
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Offline Jen

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2014, 12:15:04 pm »
Sounds reasonable, Thanks Guys
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Offline Jen

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2014, 03:00:19 pm »
I'm in the process of ordering mediums, frames and wired foundation. My plan is this..

I'm going to split my double deep into two hives. Then add mediums onto each deep. The purpose being to have a back up hive, and to reap some honey for myself this year... hopefully

How many mediums do I need for this year?
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Offline iddee

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2014, 03:20:55 pm »
At least two. If the second one doesn't get filled, you buy your honey. The bees keep theirs.
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Offline Jen

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #6 on: January 31, 2014, 04:04:23 pm »
Iddee- ""At least two. If the second one doesn't get filled, you buy your honey. The bees keep theirs.""

Okay, I'm ordering three mediums and components for each deep. But I still have to add to that order thru Monday ~
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Offline Jen

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #7 on: January 31, 2014, 06:17:44 pm »
Okay, how do I know if my doulbe deep hive has enough bees to split? Maybe I shouldn't split this year...

I do know this, during fall inspection last year, most but not all of my frames were pulled in the brood box.

And the top deep was not completely full of honey, mostly tho.

I didn't document it, doh!
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Offline iddee

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #8 on: January 31, 2014, 07:27:23 pm »
In a box with 10 frames, there are 11 open slots beside and between the frames. Lift the top box off and look down at both boxes. If 2 slots aren't full of bees in EITHER box, don't split.
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Offline Jen

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #9 on: January 31, 2014, 10:43:49 pm »
So! All ten frames, in both boxes, need to be occupied with either brood or honey... before a split??

Easy Iddee... I'm just clarifying to be sure I'm reading your advice right... kisshug patpatpat
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Offline iddee

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2014, 10:54:46 pm »
If you look down at the top of two boxes, you have no idea if there is brood or honey. The adults need to be filling the between spaces fairly full before splitting.

If so, then you remove the frames and divide equally. If the adults are not covering nearly all empty space, the hive isn't strong enough to split by a new beek who doesn't want to chance losing both. After 10 years of beekeeping, and ready to lose half of them or more, then you may split one full deep into 5 hives. I just want you to be successful the first time.
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“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
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Offline Jen

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #11 on: January 31, 2014, 11:09:18 pm »
Thank You kind sir! Truly appreciate your tolerance with all my clarifications.
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #12 on: January 31, 2014, 11:34:47 pm »
Quote from: Jen on January 31, 2014, 10:43:49 pm
Easy Iddee... I'm just clarifying to be sure I'm reading your advice right... kisshug patpatpat

   Oh...  man, I laughed so hard when I read that.. I was in tears... must be time to go climb in bed...  TYVM  Jen..  I needed that laugh!
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Offline Jen

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Re: How do I split from a deep to a medium
« Reply #13 on: January 31, 2014, 11:50:27 pm »
Sure! Anytime my friend 
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