I'm planning on ordering the frames/boxes for my first hive setup in early December, so that I have all winter to get them together (time is tight, so I'll need the extra time). Before I order I want to make sure that I've got things right, and my biggest worry is whether I should do single or double brood chamber hives.
Most of the pros around here use single brood chamber setups, and that is also what is recommended by the apiary research program at the University of Guelph (located an hours drive away, roughly the same climate). There seems to be a lot of advantages for the new beekeeper - easier to find the queen, easier/quicker inspections, lower startup costs. Downside seems to be minimal; mainly a need in the fall to feed sooner and more vigorously once honey supers are removed, and feeding in the spring is pretty much a necessity.
My concern though is that most of the articles I've read/videos I've watched are written to promote the use of single brood hives, and so I'm wondering if in their eagerness to promote them if something isn't being left out.
thanks
B
Most of the pros around here use single brood chamber setups, and that is also what is recommended by the apiary research program at the University of Guelph (located an hours drive away, roughly the same climate). There seems to be a lot of advantages for the new beekeeper - easier to find the queen, easier/quicker inspections, lower startup costs. Downside seems to be minimal; mainly a need in the fall to feed sooner and more vigorously once honey supers are removed, and feeding in the spring is pretty much a necessity.
My concern though is that most of the articles I've read/videos I've watched are written to promote the use of single brood hives, and so I'm wondering if in their eagerness to promote them if something isn't being left out.
thanks
B