Building a Bee Business #66

[@douglasbarber6547]

I've been watching your journey for the past 2-2 1/2 years now. I've learned a lot. Thank you for the time and effort you put in to show what you're doing. ( good and bad ).

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@ec9596]

Good morning i hope to be a full time bee keeper in 2yrs love the video and all the info thanks I'm in cookeville Tennessee

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks, and good luck!

[@russellkoopman3004]

"As soon as things slow down" - LOL. Not when you are dealing with bees. Did you get the spray job done? I was looking forward to seeing it done. Maybe next time. Nathan have a good week and thanks so much for taking the time to share your journey.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Yep, I got it done. Now I’ve got months to get the rest of it finished. Good hearing from you Russ, Happy Thanksgiving!

[@brianbennett4374]

Great to watch you grow 😊. Thanks for taking the time to video your journey with us. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Happy Thanksgiving Brian!

[@viahoneybees]

Glad to see you are adding equipment and storage area to your operation. You mentioned that you wish your new trailer had brakes on both axles. I have a similar trailer for my landscaping operation and have found it is not necessary to have more, honestly. Just more maintenance.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[@michaelshelnutt3534]

Assasin bug at 12:40 So you have had several bees now- Stevens, Binnie, etc.. what do you find you are liking the most now?

[@daverowden-RowdyBeeFarms]

I also have some hives that not getting heavy no matter how much I feed them. Throwing Candy boards on them after OA treatment and they are on their own till January/February. Looks like you have a big year in front of you. Thanks for the video like always, see you at NAHBE. Have Great Thanksgiving

[@graemediesel2936]

That new sea can looks really nice. If I were you I’d put thermometers in that and your darker sea cans to see the difference in temperatures. I think it might be enough to make it worthwhile painting your other sea cans white to reduce your air conditioning costs. That looks like a good little trailer. The back gate looks like it would be nice for rolling a hand cart with supers up onto the deck. You might be able to add brakes to the second axle without too much trouble.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Thanks!

[@billbershinsky4304]

You have your winter work lined up well. Could you use your ramp as your headboard with some minor modifications?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’d prefer to leave the ramp as is. I’d like to be able to put it back into stock configuration.

[@joshuawaldner6880]

About 1400 is what a froth pack costs around here

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Industrial products has them cheaper.

[@jayphillips2582]

Whats the going rate on those containers now? I assume that new one is a one trip can?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Yeah it’s a one tripper. $6,000 delivered in my area.

[@jayphillips2582]

@@DuckRiverHoney I’m leveling a spot for one now. I knew they’d gone up just like everything else. I think when I first started looking into containers you could get one for $2500 😖

[@framcesmoore]

Enjoyed your video in this video u showed a bug eating a bee, I have loads of that bug here first time I have ever seen them here what are they called do u know hope u and your family have a Blessed Thanksgiving

[@DuckRiverHoney]

It’s a wheel bug.

[@nancynolton6079]

Ugh I remember all that Fall feeding, thought it would never end! We've had a wee bit of rain and even a little snow (it all melted away). Still way too dry and lack rains and groundwater for winter cover crops here in Pennsylvania. Winds have been consistent blowing every day for a month it seems. Hives have their winter insulation on and now its a waiting game. Working on rendering wax and making candles in addition to developing next years bee plan and hope the bees will be in agreement!

[@DuckRiverHoney]

We had NO rain in October, and got 7” in the first two weeks of November. Need a bunch more for the water table to catch up to where it should be.

[@Gdf143]

Was wondering where you buy your boxes and bee equipment In bulk I’ve been buying kits but have about 40 hives over wintering so expecting too need a lot of equipment next year and want to find a cheaper way I would like waxed equipment if possible

[@robertstwalley3662]

Why did you go the frame feeder route as opposed to the bucket feeder method. I have been using the top feeders as I am a 8 frame medium everything guy. But wrapping up the year, I am wondering why I am not feeding through the top with buckets. These top feeders are expensive and very hard to build your own. I would be interested on your take on bucket feeding drawbacks. Nice container, nice trailer, very glad to see that you are still growing.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Buckets have to be ferried back and forth to yards. They fly off in wind. Coons and skunks knock them off. And they grow black mold badly and have to be cleaned each year. It’s less labor overall for me to use in hive feeders.

[@qlf520]

Is there raw propolis?

[@daltonrobinson253]

Are you using open cell or closed cell spray foam?

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Closed cell.

[@Royalsbeesandhoney]

Lots of feeding this year has been so warm out. I still don't think some of mine are up to pare. I guess I will see

[@DuckRiverHoney]

Too cold to feed now so I’ll put fondant on the light ones and hope they make it.

[@3Beehivesto300]

Bees that don’t have a tendency to put on weight for winter. Pinch that queen and save your syrup, please.

[@hootervillehoneybees8664]

If you spread those containers apart could set trusses on top build a building with them.. wish I could get some it's like rule number one in my twp no shipping containers .. they are perfect.. going to just start selling singles this season they are already selling good to hobbyist got 100 to sell right now.. my nuc customers ask all the time why not sell the whole thing.. I'll still sell nucs this year probably my last.. I need to cycle out old boxes .. comb is new thou so it's good stuff. 6 machical treatment and 3 chemical treatments they never did pickup a mite load.. then I got them shut down soon as we got our first frost so I didn't have late brooding problems.. save that late brooding for spring build up.. plus it locks them in youth like Ian Steppler always says.. I see what he's talking about now.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

The containers are a stopgap until I can get a building built. I can repurpose them down the road. Thanks!

[@HARRYBEES-c9u]

I'm going back to the drawing boar starting over,,,...

[@JoshuaSandoval-o3i]

What model truck is that

[@DuckRiverHoney]

2006 Tundra

[@carpenterandhisbees]

My prediction is in a year you will say "I need a bigger trailer". Ask me how I know, lol. But we work with what we have and what's in our budget.

[@DuckRiverHoney]

I’ve been using a single axle 12’ and I like that length. It fits into all my bee yards. A longer trailer is going to drag getting into some of them.

[@carpenterandhisbees]

@DuckRiverHoney your next move is like you said a 350 with a flat bed. But that's a lot of honey sales to pay for that. Best to always stay within your means.