rich1985 Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 Hi all, well been thinking about starting keeping bees for a few years now as I have always had a strange fascination for them but have never really had too much time and if I cannot do something properly I would rather not bother. I have had a change in circumstances and now do have more time, I am attending a course in bee keeping in a couple of weeks to see how things go etc. next spring if all goes well I will probably get my first bees and give it ago. I have looked at hives on the net and for what they are seem a lot of money, I have a cousin that's a joiner and will make me a hive if I can get a plan. I've looked on Internet and the plans I have found are quite vague and not very clear, can any1 help? I'm thinking national hive. Any other advise would be greatly appreciated too of course. And if there any 1 in North norfolk that willing to take me under there wing and teach me that would be fantastic, thanks rich1985 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STOTTO Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 The ‘Sting in the Tail’, apart from the obvious, I believe is the start-up cost! Not a bee keeper but good luck in your endeavours. http://www.norfolkbeekeepers.co.uk/swarms/index.php http://www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/TDS%20number%204%20national%20hive.pdf http://www.scottishbeekeepers.org.uk/TDS%20number%204%20national%20hive.pdf http://www.beekeeping.org.uk/is_national_hive.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 Give mag357 a pm he's on this forum he used to keep bees and still has all the gear i believe and last time spoke to him about it he was going to put everything up for sale but don't think he has yet you might get some good gear cheap to start you off.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boromir Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 Im starting my hive next year as well and I like you find bee's fascinating, I remember being at the Royal Highland show and spent hours watching them. From what Ive been told Hives are cheaper around about Christmas time. Also worth joining a beekeeping club membership shouldnt cost much £6 for me and there should be someone there that will help you out, lots of info and presentations. Till I get my own Im helping with my works hives we have just split the hives into two and Im hoping to get a Queen from one of them next year as they are a good strain not aggressive and producing lots of honey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldweld Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 Don't do it ! One hive quickly becomes 10 and the most time hungry hobby ever ! Plus expensive !!!! Oh and non aggressive and lots of honey don't go together, its usually one or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boromir Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 Well we split the hive about 3 weeks ago and we put a 2nd super on it then, we had to put another super on as they were full with honey last week, now im new to this but to me thats some honey theyve made and theyve not been aggressive at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coldweld Posted June 28, 2015 Report Share Posted June 28, 2015 I had Black bee's and Italian bees. 20 hives and half a dozen nuke's in three sites,when I stopped. The blacks where nice and easy for beginners but poor at building up and making honey, the Italian where sometimes quiet BUT the alert (vicious Queens) produced large colony's and large amounts of Honey. I had to stop keeping as I became allergic to stings developing large swellings that would be dangerous if stung on the face or neck. Its great to keep bee's BUT its a full time hobby that can't just be left a week or two between hive visits, if anyone says its easy or without frustration they have not kept the little ******* ! Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted June 29, 2015 Report Share Posted June 29, 2015 Hi Best of luck with your new hobby Join a club Observe the hive types they use in your area the best suited may not be the easiest to make Sorry don't have any plans although buying a flat pack kit and taking the dimensions from it would be the way to go IMO Just a thought The planet needs bees If they die out So do we All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rich1985 Posted July 1, 2015 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Thanks guys. I think what I will do is buy a flat pack hive and get my cousin to copy it so I got 2 then make a template of all the parts for future reference. Can't wait to get going next year, at present doing lots of research and trying to find a local bee keeper as a mentor as it were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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