WillJenkins Posted April 6, 2015 Share Posted April 6, 2015 I bought a Beehaus last summer and so far have managed not to kill my colony, which I'm frankly amazed by considering how thoroughly unprepared for beekeeping I was Now that we come into the 2015 season I'd like to know people's opinions on maintaining two colonies - one in each end of the Beehaus? I understand the advantage the Beehaus's two-hive system has for artificial swarming, but I'm wondering if it's viable long-term to maintain two colonies in it, or whether it's better to stick to using it for re-uniting colonies. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 I don't see any reason why you can't keep two colonies in your Beehaus. You will still need either another, or two 14 x 12 boxes to AS them though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted April 7, 2015 Share Posted April 7, 2015 I agree - as I understand it, it's designed for two colonies. There shouldn't be any problem - no more difficult than having two hives side-by-side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angelmum21 Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I am sorry to disagree but if you look carefully at the instruction manual you will see that at the height of activity for a vigorous colony you should be using more than half the beehaus broodbox. I must admit my colony has not been vigorous enough so far, but I am absolutely determined to use the back of the box to raise a new Queen this year and that is really where the long box comes into its own. xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Speckled Hen Posted April 12, 2015 Share Posted April 12, 2015 I am sorry to disagree but if you look carefully at the instruction manual you will see that at the height of activity for a vigorous colony you should be using more than half the beehaus broodbox. I must admit my colony has not been vigorous enough so far, but I am absolutely determined to use the back of the box to raise a new Queen this year and that is really where the long box comes into its own. xx That's exactly why I said, "You will still need either another, or two 14 x 12 boxes " By the time you have half a box worth of brood you should have supered and be on the way to raising that queen simply by AS. However, the posters question was whether you could keep 2 colonies in the one box, and indeed you can with the above caveat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
