As we said on our home page: "For every beekeeper you ask about something you will get several different suggestions". Even those opinions may be be contradictory if asked several weeks later.
I feel it's important to add this to this area because some sites trying to muddle things a bit with insinuating that "#3" actually means that whole package of bees, Queen, feeder can and even the cage itself is included in the weight when listed as "#3" or that "#3" actually implies something totally different.
So...let me clear up our "#3 packages". OUR PACKAGES ARE 3 POUNDS OF HONEY BEES...GIVE OR TAKE A FEW OUNCES. We get them from our bulk suppliers a certain way. Our supplier tries to get as close to #3, 3# or 3 pounds as they can. We can not pick and chose the packages we get but we let you pick out the packages you want. We go as far as to direct you away from packages we consider "light". Our packages are ALL on display. Even those I cull because I think there are to many dead bees or think they are really to light to offer for sale BUT you still get to see those. And no...those "light" hives are not offered at a discount. We'd rather keep those and nurse them along as opposed to selling a possible problem. Fair enough?
Among other things are opinions on the types of bees to raise and if packages, nucs or complete hives are the way to go. That is completely up to you. But we'll give you a little information:
Packaged bees are considered by some to be the fastest, easiest and cheapest way to start your bee keeping experience, expand your apiary or to replace lost or "dead-out" hives.
"Nucs" are hives in temporary boxes with 3 to 5 frames that have several hundred bees, a mated, laying Queen, frames with foundations that have drawn out comb with the bees already storing pollen, honey and capped brood. These are usually more expensive then packages but the upside is that you have bees that are already showing what they can do and are established. The downside is that you didn't have control over the bees from the package or split and therefore didn't get to experience the "A to Z" of beekeeping and don't know the whole story behind your bees like if the beekeeper is a ethical beekeeper.
A complete, working hive cam be very expensive but if you are looking to get into having a hive or two after losing a hive or decided to get into bee keeping late in the season with little work or only want the bees for garden pollination this may be the way to go for you but again you may be getting a hive with hidden problems or from a beekeeper with questionable ethics.
Everyone starts somewhere. Even package suppliers. There is a learning curve in any business and beekeeping is no different. Here are a few things you should look for when buying bees of any kind:
We are offering Italian stock with mated Italian Queens again this year. These are raised in Georgia with Queens raised by our supplier.
If for some reason you don't want Italian bees or bees from Georgia (Some beekeepers are particular about these things) we'll try to steer you to other suppliers, that we know. We do not offer nucs yet but will in the future after we build our business. If you have a preference please email us and we will try to find the kind you want.
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