Which beekeeping kit looks the best? Which would you recommend???

[awesomefowl]

This: http://www.realgoods.com/product/home-outdoor/outdoor/yard-garden/beginner%20beekeeping%20kit.do
This: http://www.beekeepingstarterkit.com/product/C52201P
Or this, which I like the best: http://www.thegardenhive.com/

Which kind of hive do you have, and would you recommend it to a total newbie? (I did read some books about however)

I'd like to eventually be able to sell the excess honey.
Thanks! A ~ F

 

[Celtic Hill]

The last one is really just for looks, To get the honey out you need to strain and press it. The other two are pretty comparable, i would look for a Bee class in your area to attend. Either of the top to look good. FYI don't buy used equipment, that's an easy way to transmit diseases and mites.

 

[awesomefowl]

Okay, thanks. Hmmm......

 

[OhioEggs]

Check with Mann Lake, Kelley Bee Supply, or Dadant.

You wont regret buying from any of those companies.

 

[awesomefowl]

Anyone else?

 

[awesomefowl]

http://www.kelleybees.com/CMS/CMSPage.aspx?redirect=n-3-781d15bd-6de3-41ec-bc01-56c902ed996d
which option would you recommend?

 

[PotterWatch]

I think it partly depends on how you are looking to keep your bees and what type of climate you live in. My hive is simply a large hive body with strips of foundation put in the top of the frames to give the bees a guide as to where to put their comb. I don't use full foundation and never plastic foundation. I don't have an inner cover and have never used a feeder. I like the first link you posted as it is the most simple. The tools I have needed are a large hive body, a medium super, 10 frames for each of those with 1.5in strips of foundation in each frame, a smoker, a hive tool, gloves, a hat and veil, and a frame lifter. I do have my hive sitting on a water heater stand to keep it up off the ground.

If you are looking to sell honey at some point, I would go with a langstroth rather than a top bar simply because I believe it is easier to extract honey from a langstroth. I would rather have a 10-frame body than an 8 simply because it is easier for me to get supers for a 10-frame. My local supplier doesn't make 8-frame boxes.

I have mostly used Dadant when I need to order things online but I am lucky to have a supplier nearby so I rarely need to order online. I have only had my bees for about a year so I am a novice, but I love having them around!

A picture of my hive with a frame lifted up (doesn't show the super that is on top):

Smoking under the lid of the super as I started an inspection:

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

This is so interesting! I would love to get into bees.

How do you extract the honey from the hives?

 

[SamG347]

Go with a 8 frame all medium super kit...you wont be sorry. I run both all medium hives and deep hives supered with meds and shallows. But you can't beat the interchangeability of using all the same frame size. I can move honey frames down into the brood nest with ease.

 

[awesomefowl]

Thank you!!!