How the quantities are worked out
The list assumes a common starting setup: two deep boxes for the brood nest and two (10-frame) or three (8-frame) medium supers for honey, with a frame and a sheet of foundation for every slot. A five-frame nuc arrives with its own drawn frames, so you need five fewer deep frames per hive.
Starting setup per colony
| Langstroth 10-frame | Langstroth 8-frame | Top bar | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brood boxes | 2 deeps | 2 deeps | 1 long body |
| Honey supers | 2 mediums | 3 mediums | same body |
| Frames per box | 10 | 8 | bars included |
| Works with nucs | ✓ yes | ✓ yes | ✗ not standard nucs |
| Works with an extractor | ✓ yes | ✓ yes | ✗ crush & strain |
Your local club may suggest something different for your climate, for example a third deep in the far north or single-deep brood nests in the Southeast. Treat the list as a starting point, not a rule.
Why two hives instead of one
Extension beekeeping programs often suggest that beginners start with two colonies. With two, you can compare brood patterns and temperament, move a frame of eggs to a colony that has lost its queen, and still keep bees if one colony fails.
Honey yield and profit calculatorPlanning ahead for jars? Estimate a harvest and see what is left after your own costs.What you buy elsewhere
Bees themselves are not sold through the shops we link to. Packages and nucs come from regional suppliers and local beekeepers, and many sell out by late winter, so order early. Some specialist items, such as certain registered oxalic acid products and vaporizers, are mostly sold through bee-supply dealers.