Medium or Deep

[Pond Creek Farm]

I read in another post a discussion of hive building.  In that post I saw a few bits of advice that sparked my interest (and of course several questions).  One poster indicated he liked using 8 frames mediums and another said that a beekeeper would never regret going to all mediums for hive bodies.  Why?  Is it merely a matter of weight when loaded or are there other reasons?  My reason for asking is that I still have another hive to build for this year and was planning on getting a hive kit from Mann Lake. (this was the supplier that supplied the hive that was given to me)  As you all likley know, they all build their kits with two deeps and two mediums. Is this an inefficient or ill-advised configuration?  I had anticipated keeping the plastic foundation in the deeps and then using starter strips or an angled top bar as Michael Bush has recommended in the honey supers so that I could cut comb or crush and strain easily.  I am starting to rethink that strategy and now wonder if I should omit the frames in the brood boxes as well. I already have two hives in the 2 deep/2 medium set up.  I do not want to build a third if it is an incorrect method.

Brian

[UtahBees]

It's all your preference I think.

I like 10-frame mediums because of weight. Completely full w/honey, one medium box w/10 frames is about 60 lbs. I'm 35 in decent shape (nothing special), and it hurts to lift those! I like to think as my hive more modular with that config. 8 frame mediums would be even better for weight.

Overall, I would advise not buying a kit. You can put together a nice "kit" for the same price.

Regards,

Scott

[Carriage House Farm]

THis is my first year.  I will be on all mediums.  I am getting four nucs...all mediums.

All medium equipment.

Everything.

I can swap ANYTHING between any colony.

Or rather...WILL be able to.

I have all me equipment ready and let me tell you, I originally planned for 4 colonies.  It looks like Might be tackling 6...if I am lucky.  All my equipment is stacked, split between my farm office and the workshop.  I cannot imagine how much more of a headache it would be if I had a different size of equipment to worry about as well.

Its all about logistics and making that footprint smaller.

And they are lighter, though you will be moving more boxes and examining more frames, so its a trade off.

[Mklangelo]

I read in another post a discussion of hive building.  In that post I saw a few bits of advice that sparked my interest (and of course several questions).  One poster indicated he liked using 8 frames mediums and another said that a beekeeper would never regret going to all mediums for hive bodies.  Why?  Is it merely a matter of weight when loaded or are there other reasons?  My reason for asking is that I still have another hive to build for this year and was planning on getting a hive kit from Mann Lake. (this was the supplier that supplied the hive that was given to me)  As you all likley know, they all build their kits with two deeps and two mediums. Is this an inefficient or ill-advised configuration?  I had anticipated keeping the plastic foundation in the deeps and then using starter strips or an angled top bar as Michael Bush has recommended in the honey supers so that I could cut comb or crush and strain easily.  I am starting to rethink that strategy and now wonder if I should omit the frames in the brood boxes as well. I already have two hives in the 2 deep/2 medium set up.  I do not want to build a third if it is an incorrect method.

Brian

It's just a matter of how heavy ya' want it to be when it's time to move it, that's all.  The argument for a deep is it maximizes brood and storage space for the bees.  Beyond that, it's all about what's easier for the beekeeper, but that isn't what is necessarily best for the bees...

If your 25 years old, and feel like humpin... I recommend deeps.   If your 50 and feel a bit lazy, go for mediums.  I'm kinda dumb that way, I'm about 50 and still went with deeps.  It's all about the bees for me, but I don't have hundreds of hives either.  MB likes the mediums and I say that's great.  He is a pro at it and don't discount anything he says.  This is just my personal opinion.

[Angi_H]

Well I am going with meds because yes I am only 34 but with my degenerative discs and my fibromyalgia I need light as I can. My honey supers will be shallows.

Angi

[Michael Bush]

>Is it merely a matter of weight when loaded or are there other reasons?

Weight and interchangeability.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#uniformframesize
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#lighterboxes

>  My reason for asking is that I still have another hive to build for this year and was planning on getting a hive kit from Mann Lake. (this was the supplier that supplied the hive that was given to me)  As you all likley know, they all build their kits with two deeps and two mediums. Is this an inefficient or ill-advised configuration?

IMO, yes.  It's not interchangable (deep frames don't fit in medium boxes and medium frames leave too much room in a deep box) and it's too heavy when full of honey (a deep full of honey weighs 90 pounds).

>  I had anticipated keeping the plastic foundation in the deeps and then using starter strips or an angled top bar as Michael Bush has recommended in the honey supers so that I could cut comb or crush and strain easily.  I am starting to rethink that strategy and now wonder if I should omit the frames in the brood boxes as well.

Not sure what you mean by "omit the frames", but you have to have frames and some kind of comb guide or you'll have a mess.  If you want natural cell size or small cell size, then that's an issue.  But if you don't care about cell size, the plastic works fine.

> I already have two hives in the 2 deep/2 medium set up.  I do not want to build a third if it is an incorrect method.

It's not an "incorrect" method.  It's actually the most common method.  It's just an awkward one.  If you intend to convert to all mediums it's easier to do now than later.  I found having all the same equipment so important I cut down all of my deeps to mediums and all of my ten frame to eight frame.  It was a lot more work to convert but was worth it to me.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeseightframemedium.htm

[UtahBees]

If you intend to convert to all mediums it's easier to do now than later.  I found having all the same equipment so important I cut down all of my deeps to mediums and all of my ten frame to eight frame.  It was a lot more work to convert but was worth it to me.

Great advice again from a pro. That is a lot of work! WOW!

[Robo]

Don't forget higher cost and additional pieces of equipment when contemplating a decision.

3 mediums ~ 2 deeps

[BMAC]

lets not forget that one day you may decide to use division board feeders (which are setup for deeps).

Some of the folks running bees to California also use a combination of 1 deep and 1 medium.   Wow talk about screwing up the works when it comes time to split those babies.....

[mgates61]

I am using deeps for brood and mediums for honey supers. Hope it all works ok.  If I see problems developing I will probably move to all mediums.  As this will be my first year I will live and learn.  If I didn't already have the money invested int the deep, I would do all mediums.


Mike

[watercarving]

I just bought two medium division board feeders from Brushy Mountain so that shouldn't be an issue. http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/products.asp?pcode=711

I was all set to do 8-frame medium everywhere until I decided to do top bar hives. However, I am building my TBHs to medium specs. That way, if I change my mind, I can still do 8-frame mediums. Being totally modular is very attractive to me.

[poka-bee]

I'm just starting out too & decided to go 8 frm med.  I'm not getting any younger, 5'2" & have blown out both shoulders, knees are going now...My back is great tho :) Lifting from the ground to chest height isn't any problem but anything higher, specially if it isn't "wranglerable".nope-nope-nope! If I knew I'd live this long woulda taken better care! Also something to be said for being able to put anything anywhere, specially just starting out!   Great evening to everyone!

[Brian D. Bray]

When you're turning 60 this year and handicapped mediums are a must.  Maybe even just medium nuc boxes but I ain't 90+ like my neighbor down the street so It's 8 frame mediums for me.  Don't by kits, by multiples of the same size box and frames and other necessary equipment like tops and SBB and save bucks.

[Shawn]

Interesting that only one person has talked about using shallow supers. My son and I had ordered the 10 frame kit from betterbee. I ordered the increase kit which comes with 2 deeps and 2 mediums. I wanted all mediums and small cell, that is in a different post, but I could not afford it at the time. Hopefully I will take any extra money and put it to getting all mediums with small cell.

[Michael Bush]

>lets not forget that one day you may decide to use division board feeders (which are setup for deeps).

You can buy medium frame feeders from most suppliers.  The plastic ones from Mann Lake are double wide.  The wood/masonite ones from Brushy Mt. take only one frame.  But then I'm not that thrilled with frame feeders.  I have a lot of them around that don't get used much...

The simplest and cheapest feeder is to convert a solid bottom board.  It will cost you a scrap of wood and a little bit of work and some wax to waterproof it and it doesn't matter what depth the frames are.  :)

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm#bottom

[BMAC]

>lets not forget that one day you may decide to use division board feeders (which are setup for deeps).

You can buy medium frame feeders from most suppliers.  The plastic ones from Mann Lake are double wide.  The wood/masonite ones from Brushy Mt. take only one frame.  But then I'm not that thrilled with frame feeders.  I have a lot of them around that don't get used much...

The simplest and cheapest feeder is to convert a solid bottom board.  It will cost you a scrap of wood and a little bit of work and some wax to waterproof it and it doesn't matter what depth the frames are.  :)

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm#bottom

I forgot about those medium wide feeders.  Somehow I ended up with one in my inventory.....

[Cindi]

Jody, one day you will have to tell what happened to blow out both your shoulders, I would be interested.  Beautiful day in the great life we live.  Cindi