Author Topic: Split or stack a strong hive?  (Read 2524 times)

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Offline SmokeyBee

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Split or stack a strong hive?
« on: July 03, 2017, 10:57:08 am »
I was having a conversation recently with a local beekeeper about one of my first year hives (first year for me also). He agreed with my assessment that it was a strong hive. It's doing basically nothing right now in the dearth. We talked about managing this hive throughout the rest of the season and he recommended continuing to stack supers as long as the bees would draw comb and next year I should have a really good honey crop.

I had the same conversation with another local beek I know who didn't like stacking hives really high. He always split his strong hives, never letting them get above a certain level (I can't remember where he drew the line).

So, I'm not surprised that I'm getting different advice...what are the group's thoughts on this? I've seen pictures of hives 10 boxes tall.

Opinions?

Thanks-Smokey

Offline Perry

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Re: Split or stack a strong hive?
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2017, 12:04:04 pm »
Depends if you are after a honey crop or not I suppose. I am giving them plenty of room this year.
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Offline apisbees

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Re: Split or stack a strong hive?
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2017, 07:09:09 pm »
If you are in a dearth what are the bees using to draw out the suppers and they will not just draw them out but will want to fill them with nectar as well. If you are feeding them sugar syrup you will end up with supers filled with honey made from syrup that the bees most likely will not need all of it for winter feed.
If you want more hives and the bees have little nectar to store it is a good time to make some splits.
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Offline SmokeyBee

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Re: Split or stack a strong hive?
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2017, 08:01:09 am »
I'm not feeding them so they aren't drawing out comb at all now.