Are any of you guys beekeepers?
Thanks for the great infoFor the slow-release of the queen (marshmallow thing), an 8 vs a 10 frame body does not matter in the least. You mention 'deeps'. Here are two nice write-ups from Michael Bush regarding deep vs medium and 8 vs 10 frame bodies:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeseightframemedium.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#uniformframesize
It is a lot to read, but he makes really good arguments for his choices. He also gets into the foundation vs no foundation discussion. Note, I would definitely recommend getting extra bodies and frames. Also each area/location has it's advantages, Michael talks about what works for him in Nebraska over 20+ years.
Very helpful. Thank you very muchThe amount is a VERY region answer. Down here in central Texas we typically leave a full deep and a full super on top of that. A fair bit of that is is brood. But it works out to maybe 70 lbs of honey+ pollen. We have a short winter (less honey converted to heat) and quicker new food sources coming up as well as earlier flying times (warmer weather). I know closer to your region BK leave at least 2 full deeps. Again a bit of brood, but the 2nd deep is 100% honey. So 100-120 lbs of honey.
Talk to local BK. Key word: LOCAL. And not just within 30 miles, but someone with similar plants/soil to where you are.
I'll give you an example. In my region if you go west of I-35 you have limestone and very hard nectar/pollen sources. In fact many people have to feed their hives in drought years. Go east of I-35 and it's better soil. But some areas are surrounded by crops like cotton and others in prairie and others in woods. Each sort of nectar/pollen source affect how much stores they will need. So local BK will have the best guidance on what to leave.
And note that their biggest needs are right as they get into spring. The colony is needing lots of honey and pollen to feed their brood for a month before food really starts coming in. A hive could starve as it's trying to make bees who will bring in the spring crop. Or they make weak workers who will not live long nor work hard to bring in the nectar/pollen.
Hope this helps.
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