Who has ever tried beekeeping

[max13077]

My Dad and I are looking for something new to try. We have our chickens, but would like to branch out a little. We can't have cows, pigs, or anything big like that; so we thought we'd go the other way.

Has anybody ever tried it? Is it difficult? Moreover, is it worth it?

 

[seismic wonder2]

Once you get a few hive established, YES it is very worthit.

BUT FIRST!!! Check with the local agriculture department to find out if you can even HAVE the bees. Some places have rules like "must be 100feet from the nearest road, and 200feet from nearest house" etc...

You can build 99% of the stuff you need at home. but it's easier to order everything for your first hive pre-made, like a starter kit. There are hundreds of bee catalogs and websites to choose from and most are relatively the same cost.
When you get four first one going and you get all the bits and pieces you need to take care of that one, you are well set for any other hives.

READ READ READ!!! go to the library and get every beekeeping book you can find and read then from cover to cover!

The bees really take care of themselves but you need to know the signs of disease, and other things that may bug your bugs, LOL


I had 10 hives when I was a kid, I used to just pull up a lawn chair, and a glass of iced tea and watch them do their thing for hours!

You'll love it!

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

I built 2 top bar hives but as of yet have not squired any bees......

 

[PotterWatch]

I just bought a hive a couple days ago. I still have to finish putting it together and paint it, but I'm hoping it will be ready to roll in a couple weeks. Here's hoping!

 

[StupidBird]

Your timing is great! After the bigger coop, I want bees! I've been introducing this idea to DH over the last year or so; working up to it just like with the fluffy butts. My uncle raised lots of hives, swore by the health benefits of fresh comb honey and getting a sting every day.

 

[sourland]

Did it when I was a kid and loved it. There used to be a book "The ABC and XYZ of Beekeeping" that was great. Also a monthly periodical "Gleanings in Bee Culture" that was great. Check with your local agriculture dept. for regulations and inspections. Many ag colleges conduct courses in bee keeping that are very worthwhile. Go for it. They are great fun.

 

[beakkeeper]

My dad's been doing it for a couple years now and has had minimal to wild success. If you do get hives, GET MORE THAN ONE because bees these days aren't doing so well.

1. Make sure you get them from a patient, accomodating, knowledgeable beekeeper who is willing to give you advice.
2. Be prepared for failure. Again and again and again and again.
3. Be ready for the honey that you're going to get if you're successful. Collect up jars, make labels, develop an extracting process, etc. (You don't have to have a fancy extractor--my dad made a funnel-pantyhose-putty scraper extractor!

)

 

[debilorrah]

One of our mods, Reinbeau, has bees. In fact, I am getting some honey from her here soon. I have heard that natural honey helps allergies. LORDY I hope so!!!

 

[Beekissed]

I'll be starting bees this year!

I will be building my own top bar hives and trying to do less manipulation and more of a natural approach to beeking.

 

[SallyF]

Quote:
I can attest to numbers one and two. We haven't experienced #3 yet, and now all bees are dead. The guy who talked DH into this almost has him talked into getting more bees. might as well, after he bought the hives, the suit, the smoker, and on and on and on. (And they say keeping chickens is a lot of work!)