Hi,

Just thought I would ask how many have hives.

We started 2 last year and this year hope to add 2-3 more.

I have been looking into the Warre hives. Anyone have any experience with Warres?

The honey we got last year was the best I have ever tasted. And we got just under 5 gallons from the 2 hives.

So, I guess we are to Bee.

Thanks!

what kind of costs would one be looking at getting into having bees? and what kind of overhead?

you can buy new woodenware set up (2 deeps with 10 frames each, 2 honey supers with 10 frames each, screened bottom board and top) for around $200 iirc.

"3 lbs of bees + a queen" will cost you around $80.

you may need an extra empty deep and an inside feeder, and 50 lbs of sugar if you start soon.

Get the 'Beekeeping for Dummies" book.

overhead after these costs is low, in both cash and time.

i'm making killer mead, cysers and other fermentables from the 30-40lbs of honey i get.

Is a Warre hive a "top bar" system?

we have 2 colonies (one died this winter), and we'll split both of them to make 2 more.
our goal is 100 lbs of honey per 2 colonies...!

When we started we bought two packages of bees, I think they were the 3 pound package which is about 9,500 bees in each package, and that came with a caged queen in the box. The package of bees can be bought for $75.00-$95.00 from several sources. Of course many people go out and capture swarms but probably not a good way to start.

Then we bought 2 hive kits and we opted for some extras. I thnk the starter kits we bought were about $180.00 and that includes the wooden ware, frames, hat, and some tools. Anyone with some basic woodworking tools and a little time could throw the hives together. Once you have one kit and one set of tools you have all the Chinese blue prints you need to replicate the boxes. I also know of a site that has a lot of plans online. I have downloaded most of the plans and may build some hives as time permits.

Our kits were fun to put together and paint them.

So I would say you could have a working hive for about $300.00 or less if you build the hives yourself, which there is not a whole lot to the basic hive.

There is some new stuff for sale on Craigslist. Do not buy used equipment.

Bee clubs are a great way to get exposure and knowledge when getting started.

Here is a link of my gf's bee blog from our first year.

http://kimberlysbeebuzz.blogspot.com/

Kinda tells you from a first year beekeepers point of view. Although it does need to be updated.

Rod

Here is a link to Warre info, I just found it yesterday and am checking it out. The book is available to download on the page.

http://warre.biobees.com/

There are some people selling Warre hives on Craigslist, I may take a drive and go check them out.

I for sure like some aspects of the Warre system from what I have read and experienced so for in beekeeping.

Thanks Eagle Spirit. All of these things everyone keeps talking about (gardens, chickens, etc.) are a ways down the road for me, but I'm taking notes.