Welcome, Guest

Poll

How Many hives do you currently have in your yard?

I don't have any, but I'm learning a whole lot about beekeeping here
0 (0%)
I have ordered my first package or nuc this season
4 (6.3%)
I have had bees but no longer do - but I still love the hobby
2 (3.1%)
I have 1 to 2 hives total
13 (20.3%)
I have 2 to 5 hives total
20 (31.3%)
I have 5 to 10 hives total
6 (9.4%)
I have more than 10 hives total
16 (25%)
I keep bees elsewhere than my own property
3 (4.7%)
I don't have bees but I assist someone who does
0 (0%)
I am retired from beekeeping but was very active at one time
0 (0%)

Total Members Voted: 33

Author Topic: How many Hives do You have?  (Read 18170 times)

Offline beemaster

  • Site Founder
  • Administrator
  • Galactic Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 6457
  • Gender: Male
  • It is my pleasure to bring the forums to you.
    • http://www.beemaster.com
How many Hives do You have?
« on: March 30, 2004, 08:50:08 am »
Although we use the words BACKYARD BEEKEEPER a lot around the forum, you'd be surprized at how many hoves many of the members tend in their yard.

By knowing how many colonies we have, we better understand the magnitude of how parasites, equipment costs, medications, extracting techniques and other common functions of beekeeping is done and to how much effort is put into their hobby.
NJBeemaster my YOUTUBE Video Collection

Please enjoy the forum, and if it has helped you in any way, we hope that a small donation can be made to support our FULLY member supported forum. You will never see advertisements here, and that is because of the generous members who have made our forum possible. We are in our second decade as a beekeeping forum and all thanks to member support. At the top right of every page is a donations link. Please help if you can.

Offline justgojumpit

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 216
  • Gender: Male
How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2004, 11:49:02 am »
pretty much what i expected... cool to know anyway!
Keeper of bees and builder of custom beekeeping equipment.

Offline Oldbeavo

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1014
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2021, 05:16:33 am »
You need to be able to tick more than one box to get a view of the topic
Eg. we have more than 10 hives and don't keep them at home.

Offline Brian MCquilkin

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 192
  • Gender: Male
    • Ideal Honey Bees
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2021, 11:44:03 am »
Have a home yards plus 6 out yards
Despite my efforts the bees are doing great

Offline Michael Bush

  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 19832
  • Gender: Male
    • bushfarms.com
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2021, 01:08:02 pm »
Currently I have three yards.  I used to have more but I closed out some that weren't very productive.  I have about 75 hives right now.  During mating season I have 200 mating nucs in addition to that.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
-------------------
"Everything works if you let it."--James "Big Boy" Medlin

Offline The15thMember

  • Global Moderator
  • Galactic Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 4426
  • Gender: Female
  • Traveler of the Multiverse, Seeker of Knowledge
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2021, 01:13:24 pm »
I have 5 hives at the moment.  My goal is to get to 7 or 8 this year, and eventually to 10. 
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.

Offline jalentour

  • Field Bee
  • ***
  • Posts: 844
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2021, 05:52:10 pm »
42 here.

Offline Bob Wilson

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1100
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2021, 08:53:27 pm »
I have 3 hives in my suburban backyard. When I move to a more rural lot, I hope to keep around 8-10.

Offline Beeboy01

  • Field Bee
  • ***
  • Posts: 739
  • Gender: Male
  • Oh Look A Honey Bee !!!
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #8 on: March 03, 2021, 01:22:42 pm »
I'm at five hives right now and might add one or two more this summer from splits. Anything over six hives start to become more work than a fun hobby for me.

Offline jtcmedic

  • Field Bee
  • ***
  • Posts: 535
  • Gender: Male
    • Sweetest sting honey
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #9 on: March 03, 2021, 03:58:46 pm »
25 right now after 1 splits, hope to finish the season with 35

Offline BAHBEEs

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 110
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #10 on: March 03, 2021, 04:49:32 pm »
The answer is a moving target.  I am about at that time of year when the # is lowest.  Over spring with swarms to catch it goes up.  I try to stay between 10 and 20.

Offline Oldbeavo

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1014
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #11 on: March 04, 2021, 04:59:11 am »
We are at present running 360 hives, about 40 nucs. The hives are all migratory and are present in 8 locations.

Offline JojoBeeBoy

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 105
  • Gender: Male
    • @joebeewhisperer on Instagram
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #12 on: March 05, 2021, 02:37:18 pm »
Currently 7 hives and 7 nucs. Probably sell a few queens and nucs and hope to end the year with 30 in some configuration. It started turning into actual work at around 10, so I'm not sure where I'll find the sweet spot.

Offline cao

  • Super Bee
  • *****
  • Posts: 1678
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #13 on: March 05, 2021, 08:47:13 pm »
After a rough summer with shb's and a long cold spell in february, I am down to 50 or so.  It won't take long to increase with splits since I have enough drawn comb for close to 30 hives.

Offline gww

  • Super Bee
  • *****
  • Posts: 2263
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #14 on: March 05, 2021, 09:35:10 pm »
Try to keep ten.  I don't want more but feel scared of all dyeing with less.  I only have five or six right now as I have not opened them yet to tell for sure. Sit between eight and ten at October most years.
Cheers
gww

Offline Oldbeavo

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1014
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #15 on: March 07, 2021, 04:29:59 pm »
Jojo
As the hive numbers increase you grow into the work load and find ways to keep up.
A lot of notes written on the lid help.
Lifting the back of hives to check the weight determines who needs a super or needs to be checked if light will help if you are time poor.
If checking a requeen or new queen the if you find grubs or eggs then you have a queen and no value in looking for her.
When you find queens, mark them as it makes it easier when you need to find her, especially if she is running around the bottom of the box.
Really another topic, tips to make bees life easier.

Offline BurleyBee

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 105
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #16 on: March 16, 2021, 07:19:43 am »
I?m anywhere from 4-10.  Trying to get to a solid 10 production hives with 10-20 resource hives.  I learn something new all the time in this hobby.  Keeps it interesting.
@burleybeeyard

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12403
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #17 on: March 16, 2021, 09:57:03 am »
After a rough summer with shb's and a long cold spell in february, I am down to 50 or so.  It won't take long to increase with splits since I have enough drawn comb for close to 30 hives.

Now that is a lot of hives! How long does it typically take you to go through these cao?
« Last Edit: March 16, 2021, 10:22:53 am by Ben Framed »
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12403
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #18 on: March 16, 2021, 10:01:10 am »

Oldbeavo
[
As the hive numbers increase you grow into the work load and find ways to keep up.
A lot of notes written on the lid help.
Lifting the back of hives to check the weight determines who needs a super or needs to be checked if light will help if you are time poor.


True the more hives you get you seem to breeze through a little faster. When I first started after inspection of a hive or two, I ask myself. How do these folks with several hives get it done in a days time? As Oldbeavo said you will find you will zoom through. And as Oldbeavo, I write notes the lids also.

 
         
 Keeps it interesting.


For sure

[/quote]
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline cao

  • Super Bee
  • *****
  • Posts: 1678
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #19 on: March 16, 2021, 11:47:17 am »
Now that is a lot of hives! How long does it typically take you to go through these cao?

I have two yards so I only deal with one yard at a time so, it usually takes 2 days(one for each yard).  Sometimes it can take more if I am being very thorough or if I find some major problem.  After I am done doing splits in the spring and I know I have a laying queen, I usually leave the broodnest alone.  I don't necessarily check each hive regularly or I might just pop the top checking on space.

Offline TheHoneyPump

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1389
  • Work Hard. Play Harder.
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #20 on: March 16, 2021, 02:42:37 pm »
How many Hives do You have?

- Sometimes not enough.  Most times too many.

 :tongue:
When the lid goes back on, the bees will spend the next 3 days undoing most of what the beekeeper just did to them.

Offline BeeMaster2

  • Administrator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 13494
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #21 on: December 29, 2023, 07:23:57 pm »
I?m bumping this at the request of one of our members.
Right now I have three hives. I have had as many as 25 at times. I?ve cut back a lot.
Jim Altmiller
Democracy is 2 wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote.
Ben Franklin

Offline max2

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1187
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #22 on: December 29, 2023, 07:36:07 pm »
I try to stay under 50 hives in 3 yards plus the last 5 nuc's for the seson.

Offline jimineycricket

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 160
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #23 on: December 30, 2023, 10:32:44 am »
I have more than 10 hives total
I keep bees elsewhere than my own property
I have one hive and four nucs on my own property in town, two hives at a friend's house across town, three at another friend's place about 15 miles away, and five more a couple miles from there.  I drive a lot.  It is definitely just a hobby.   It's a hobby that takes more than it gives, financially! 
jimmy

Offline Terri Yaki

  • Queen Bee
  • ****
  • Posts: 1331
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #24 on: December 30, 2023, 04:25:16 pm »
I have more than 10 hives total
I keep bees elsewhere than my own property
I have one hive and four nucs on my own property in town, two hives at a friend's house across town, three at another friend's place about 15 miles away, and five more a couple miles from there.  I drive a lot.  It is definitely just a hobby.   It's a hobby that takes more than it gives, financially!
It could be worse...you could own horses just for fun.

Offline jimineycricket

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 160
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #25 on: December 31, 2023, 09:52:16 am »
Quote
    I have more than 10 hives total
    I keep bees elsewhere than my own property
    I have one hive and four nucs on my own property in town, two hives at a friend's house across town, three at another friend's place about 15 miles away, and five more a couple miles from there.  I drive a lot.  It is definitely just a hobby.   It's a hobby that takes more than it gives, financially!

It could be worse...you could own horses just for fun.

Amen brother! Preach it to 'em!
jimmy

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12403
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #26 on: December 31, 2023, 12:14:42 pm »
Quote
    I have more than 10 hives total
    I keep bees elsewhere than my own property
    I have one hive and four nucs on my own property in town, two hives at a friend's house across town, three at another friend's place about 15 miles away, and five more a couple miles from there.  I drive a lot.  It is definitely just a hobby.   It's a hobby that takes more than it gives, financially!

It could be worse...you could own horses just for fun.

Amen brother! Preach it to 'em!

 :grin:
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline AustinB

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 155
  • Gender: Male
  • Christian, father, outdoorsman
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #27 on: January 09, 2024, 09:42:11 am »
I have ~40 in 2 yards and I'm building a 3rd yard next month at my new property.....and my kids are pushing really hard for horses  :tongue:
The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 20:7

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proberbs 16:24

Offline Ben Framed

  • Global Moderator
  • Universal Bee
  • *******
  • Posts: 12403
  • Mississippi Zone 7
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #28 on: January 09, 2024, 10:21:17 am »
 
I have ~40 in 2 yards and I'm building a 3rd yard next month at my new property.....and my kids are pushing really hard for horses  :tongue:

:grin:
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Offline Bill Murray

  • House Bee
  • **
  • Posts: 467
  • Gender: Male
Re: How many Hives do You have?
« Reply #29 on: January 19, 2024, 06:40:23 pm »
So, Its not all about number of hives. Its about strong ,resilient, production hives. ATM Im running 5 out yards and I try to keep those yards under 40 (38 being my number). I cant work an over 40 yard without robbing. My home yard (house) get all the small hives, Puny hives, nucs, etc. that I need to keep an eye on. I keep 3-5 strong hives here to boost population in the weak colonies. Any more strong colonies than that again I get robbing issues. These hives are moved, combined and or done away with every spring to get room for another 40.  My growth is limited to yards and wooden-ware in that order.