Buying a hive

[alldigging]

Whilst my OH wants to build a hive he's not got tons of time at the moment, so we're looking at flatpack ones.

Where have you bought hives from?

[CaroltheCarrot]

Thornes imo are the best. I bought a flat pack one from fleabay,absolute rubbish*, I wouldnt put my girls in it
I bought one that a fellow beek had made and although its fine and does the job the thornes ones I have are far much better.
Mind Thornes are the only place I can go and look up here for bee stuff

* nothing to do with my joinery skills either!

[vicky]

I agree with Carol. I've two flatpacked 's from Ebay which are fairly poorly made. One second hand from I don't know where which is fine but pretty old now and needing repairs and a second from Thornes which is by far the best.
My OH makes me bits and pieces but the hives have to be pretty precise - within a few mm
I'll only buy frames from Thornes too - I had some from Solway bees which practically fell apart as I nailed them together.
I think the Thornes sale starts in November...

[alldigging]

I've ordered a thornes ... A friend has just got a swarm in their garden today too! Eeek wish I'd ordered one a week ago now!

[vicky]

OH's can make nuc boxes more easily as they don't have to be so accurate! Just some bits of ply/pine would be fine for a few weeks.
Are you going to get the swarm?

[alldigging]

What about frames? Have no foundation ... Hmm neighbour might though! Oo oo :-)
Now you've given me something to think about ..

[sir david]

How about a Warré you dont need foundation and are easy to build yourself
?
Beekeeping with the Warr hive -- Home

David

[Number76]

Why not consider second hand. There is the Lincoln BKA auction of live Bees and equipment on April 6th held at the Lincolnshire Showground, auction starts at 11am but all items can be viewed from 8am. There are some real bargains to be had and plenty of Beekeepers to meet and have a chat with. The equipment goes at a fraction of Thornes prices.