In this video I show my process of pulling July splits. #bees #beekeeping #beekeeper Queens and more at: www.bkbees.com/ Need a website? www.bkbeesites....
If I understand your video correctly, you'll be taking single deeps through the Michigan winter? What are your percentage losses of singles come spring? What other preparation for winter do you do for these singles, i.e. wrap, insulation board etc.? I'm a tad south of you down in Rockford, Michigan, and have noticed folks are more and more attempting to take single deeps through the Michigan winters. Any other special considerations you give the singles over the double deeps? Thanks for your comments.
Over the last 3 years we are around 20% losses on singles. It's a similar number for doubles, but in relation to how they look going into winter, the singles all look better in April. I'm convinced it's the optimal cluster size for heat maintenance and generation. I don't wrap or insulate or anything else extra. Just super heavy, densely populated, and healthy. Oh, and it really, really helps to have locally acclimatized bees.
If you're doing it in the same yard it's a good idea to move the queen to the new spot, but yes, just leave 'em in the same yard. The foragers will return, the nurse bees will stay where you put them.
We started beekeeping in 2009, with one hive. In 2012 we decided to make it a business and started growing the operation. At that time we had something like 10 colonies, now we have 200.
@@BKBees I started in 2016 with 2 hives and now have 11. I'm going to try selling afew nucs next year and make sure that I can get rid of them . If all goes good I plan on expanding my hive count so that I can sell a good number of nucs each year. Have you ever known of anyone having bees to sell and not be able to sell them
Wow over 200 hives that must keep you busy. Do you sell bees or honey? Is it possible to make money in beekeeping? I am surprised you don't have more subscribers. You are one of the very few that actually replies to the comments. Keep up the good work.
Not those ones. Nowadays we buy double waxed Acorn frames, no need to add extra wax to those. Any other plastic frame though, yes, we would add extra wax.
Thanks Brett, this is a Great video from a great teacher. Maybe it’s a generational thing but the use of “frikin” doesn’t add anything. We are so much more confident now after seeing your techniques and implementing many of them with great success. We really appreciate the mix of planned teaching videos and on the spot issue resolution videos. It is enjoyable to watch the growth both in your apiary and in your channel. How many hives / nucs did you start with in 2019? We are enjoying our time with our bees! 🐝🐝🐝
If I understand your video correctly, you'll be taking single deeps through the Michigan winter? What are your percentage losses of singles come spring? What other preparation for winter do you do for these singles, i.e. wrap, insulation board etc.? I'm a tad south of you down in Rockford, Michigan, and have noticed folks are more and more attempting to take single deeps through the Michigan winters. Any other special considerations you give the singles over the double deeps? Thanks for your comments.
Over the last 3 years we are around 20% losses on singles. It's a similar number for doubles, but in relation to how they look going into winter, the singles all look better in April. I'm convinced it's the optimal cluster size for heat maintenance and generation.
I don't wrap or insulate or anything else extra. Just super heavy, densely populated, and healthy. Oh, and it really, really helps to have locally acclimatized bees.
So there is no need to take them 2 miles away? Do you just leave them in the same yard and have no problems with the bees going back to the queen?
If you're doing it in the same yard it's a good idea to move the queen to the new spot, but yes, just leave 'em in the same yard. The foragers will return, the nurse bees will stay where you put them.
Thanks for the video. I was wondering how many hives you started with and how long ago was it you first started
We started beekeeping in 2009, with one hive. In 2012 we decided to make it a business and started growing the operation. At that time we had something like 10 colonies, now we have 200.
@@BKBees I started in 2016 with 2 hives and now have 11. I'm going to try selling afew nucs next year and make sure that I can get rid of them . If all goes good I plan on expanding my hive count so that I can sell a good number of nucs each year. Have you ever known of anyone having bees to sell and not be able to sell them
@@cornbreadbees5385 no, there's way too much of a market/demand right now. Make the nucs and the customers will come.
With 200 colonies spread out over several locations I take it that you don’t have a regular job and beekeeping is your full time job?
I make websites and web applications as well, but during the bee season just about all I do is bee stuff.
Wow over 200 hives that must keep you busy. Do you sell bees or honey? Is it possible to make money in beekeeping? I am surprised you don't have more subscribers. You are one of the very few that actually replies to the comments. Keep up the good work.
Who makes the vail you use?
Do you ever add more wax to your new black plastic frames?
Not those ones. Nowadays we buy double waxed Acorn frames, no need to add extra wax to those. Any other plastic frame though, yes, we would add extra wax.
@@BKBees that's what i use also. Just wanted to double check.
chill out....lol.. you just tore up an eight room house.. one sting lol .have a freaky good time
lol
Thanks Brett, this is a Great video from a great teacher.
Maybe it’s a generational thing but the use of “frikin” doesn’t add anything.
We are so much more confident now after seeing your techniques and implementing many of them with great success. We really appreciate the mix of planned teaching videos and on the spot issue resolution videos. It is enjoyable to watch the growth both in your apiary and in your channel. How many hives / nucs did you start with in 2019?
We are enjoying our time with our bees! 🐝🐝🐝
We had around 110 colonies overwinter last year.