Foundation choice(s) and cell size?

[Latestarter]

Had NO idea how much there was to know/learn while getting engaged with this new hobby/undertaking! So now I'm pondering the above subject matter. I pick up my first ever 2 complete hive's woodware in about an hour. They are brand new Lagstroth hives with 2 deeps and a medium each (along w/wooden frames and foundation for all, screened bottom boards, & inner and outer covers for both). I can choose between painted/stained/plain wood and have decided to go w/plain wood (no chemicals added). I have no idea what type/cell size foundation will be coming with them... Hmmmm.

After spending many hours researching at The Practical Beekeeper, Beekeeping Naturally, Bush Bees, by Michael Bush and following/reading the links he provides, I strongly believe/feel that I'd like to/am going to try to go with NO foundation at all and let the bees decide what cell size works best for them! I plan to leave one plastic foundation in the central frame and remove all the rest and alter them so the bees can draw their own comb. The only reason I'm leaving the one is so they will (hopefully) draw the comb properly and straight within the frame(s).

I may also "shave" the frames down a bit to 1 1/4 " vice the standard 1 3/8" width so I can put 11 frames in the 10 frame box (again as recommended for a number of reasons).

Has anyone else out there done this? considered it? What choices have YOU made and how did it/is it working out for you? I really want uncontaminated comb/wax and hopefully by attempting to attain natural disease/mite control/solutions rather than constant medication/poisoning in the hives, I can attain this.

 

[Southern by choice]

I know nothing about bees but the idea of keeping bees is fascinating to me. I lurk through our new bee section. Hopefully one day I will have bees.
Will be watching to see others input.

 

[Maggiesdad]

Well, you know me, I haz no experience...

But I can say I like the way you're thinking!
Seems to me like the Honey Bees got along just fine for several years before people started messing with them. Natural certainly seems like a low impact approach to working with the ladies.

They build the comb size they need, you get a window into where the colony is in it's life cycle by reading the comb. You harvest a percentage less honey, a percentage more wax, your colony lives. Smells like a win win... we shall see.

Keep reading - I'll have you in Top Bars before you know it!

 

[Happy Chooks]

I started with your exact set up. I chose wooden frames (I was told the bees prefer them over plastic) with beeswax starter foundation. They drew out the comb from there. I also went with wood with starter foundation for my honey super. It is wired in, so it stands up better in the honey extractor.

I didn't want comb honey, plus it takes a lot of food for the bees to draw out comb. So the choices I made worked out really well for what I wanted.

 

[Latestarter]

I know the end of April is right around the proverbial corner, and I also realize that it will get here a LOT faster than I anticipate, but right now it does seem a ways off... and the time to collect possible honey is even further down the road. I think this is gonna be a real blast

 

[Alicia]

I'm going to be setting up my hive this weekend. It's a 10 Frame double deep, I opted to go with beeswax foundation. I didn't want them to have to work harder than necessary,not sure if that's the right decision....

 

[Baymule]

Lurking......

I'll be watching your progress!

Moving to 8 acres, bees might be on the "future" list. I know I sure do like real honey!

 

[Latestarter]

I'm going to be setting up my hive this weekend. It's a 10 Frame double deep, I opted to go with beeswax foundation. I didn't want them to have to work harder than necessary,not sure if that's the right decision....

Since you are going with bee's wax foundation, you may want to reconsider setting up your hive this far in advance of receiving your bee package(s)... Since there will be no bees in the hive to "protect" it or look after it, you're hive will become fair game for wax moths and whatever all else wants to take up residence. Better to wait till a day or two before you get your bees to actually set it up. My woodware and foundation are sitting in the garage protected from the elements and critters. I'll purchase the mats to make the hive stands, but won't actually set up the hives till late April when the bees are due to arrive.

 

[Alicia]

Good to know. Never did get the hive set up...in the house right now. I keep hearing opinions on foundation or none. What do you guys think, what's best?

 

[Maggiesdad]

That question has lots of angles... If your objective is similar to mine, you just want to get your colony off to a healthy start, with all the reserves they need to make it through the late fall, winter, and early spring. Wax foundation will help them get started. I don't like the idea of plastic in my hives.

Ideally, a clean frame of empty brood comb would be wonderful. That way the queen can get busy ASAP, 'cause remember, your 10K package workers are dying dying dying while you are waiting for that first batch of brood to hatch.

A swarm is hive minded to build and draw comb, that's what they are geared to do, but a package is going "WTH?" and "Who is She?!"

Every day counts when you're trying to get your colony's population bell curve on the exponential swoop, and that needs to happen while the spring nectar flow is full on.

If you go foundationless initially, that's asking a lot, and what if they get to cross combing in there... every time you open that hive and rearrange stuff, it sets them back. That's why I'm liking the idea of going through the top bars like file folders. Just seems like the right way to do it. Time and experience will tell, though.
Glen