Honey

[jocww]

How would I go about setting up a honey been nest or whatever its called. Also is it worth it. Im away at school for most of the year but go back on weekends. We have an 100 acre ranch that is more of a plot as we just rent it out to ranchers to graze and for me to play with guns and 4 wheel on. Do you think this is a good idea? I am mostly in it for the honey like Pooh. There are no trees and or plants. Just grass and a running brook.

TIA
Jon

 

[jimmyj]

I would search the net. There must be some good advice out there. It's regulated where I live so you may have to be licensed.

Sorry I don't know more, good luck.

 

[JB4310]

I'm just learning a little about it from my old timer friend, very interesting and complex what goes on in there. This winter all but 1 of his 7 hives died. Also learned the word Apiary, a place where you keep bees.

I've been cleaning the boxes and frames, the guy I know will have 7 hives again this year. to get started you buy the bees with a queen by the weight?

Setting up the hives is not to complicated, one thing I learned is that most of the honey they make is for their own use, you only harvest from the smaller box. That's if you only have a 2 box hive, I guess as they grow you can add more boxes.

JB.

 

[zzvyb6]

You buy a starter set, you leave them alone. You take a little of their honey. That's all there is ! I have 3 hives. What is amazing to me is that all the nut trees, flowers, berries and other pollinating plants did very well afterwards. I never had as many hickory nuts as I got last year. The squirrels are going nuts.

The guy I got my stuff from gives classes, delivers supplies, and will even rent your bees from you (he does all the work for a portion of the honey and wax).

Turtlebee Farms (in Michigan) The site give you an idea of the investment cost...

 

[wv1720]

I started beekeeping a few years back. It is both enjoyable and frustrating. I have not had a hive overwinter yet. Go to Beemaster Home Page and BeeSource.com, Your Online Sourcebook for Beekeeping both are very good websites with forums to join. I have learned a lot from talking with others and reading others experiences. Now is a good time of the year to get started.

 

[greenmule]

BRUSHY MT. bee farm,do a search for them,they are in N.C.,they will send you a cataloque which has got every thing you need,bees,they sell bees too,but you got to pickup.

Wilbanks apairy will send you package bees in mail,they are in GA.

Start with at least two hives.

 

[schmism]

i started with splits last july. it was late but getting splits i had high hopes.

they didnt make it through the winter, not enough stores.

i started again with 2 packages last weekend. I have high hopes for this year.

hopefully ill get some honey by june of 2010

 

[greenmule]

Yeah,its getting pretty discourageing for me anyways,only reason we got the one hive and ordered two packages is cause my 11 year old is being forced to learn about bees,[don't know why,in 10 years they might not be any,get it? mite note be any].

I,had bees for 14-15 years now,had as many as 9 hives,but here lately you have 4 going into fall,you might be lucky to have one come spring.[do same thing I always did,feed good,3 kinds of medicine,etc.]

 

[jocww]

Wow so if I start now I wont get honey til next year? I am in Ca so there are some that are for sale I think I just want someone to use our ranch to put their hives on and just pay me in rent and honey if thats possible. Also I have just weed/grass will the bees be ok with this?

 

[JB4310]

Working on my friends hive boxes to get ready for this year, I was eating last years honey right out of the frames/combs, I swear I could taste the fruits and flowers in it.

I didn't know you don't get honey the first year, I was under the impression he will harvest a crop this year?

He said he buys them in 3 pound packs with a queen, I think there's 50,000 bees in 3 pounds?? Said he prefers some kind of Italian variety.

JB.