The Poultry Keeper

ntsmama · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 233

But it's quite hard work, right?

I've looked it up and it looks very involved...but the idea won't go away!

I have enough land to keep them away from people/kids.

Anyone keep bees?

It's not that I love beestings or anything but I do love honey and would be so proud to 'raise' my own.

Is it feasible?
How hard is it really?

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2170 Location: South Cumbria

me too, maybe one day Very Happy

nigel · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 7:01 am Post subject:

It's not hard work at all. We have two hives and they take about half an hour a week to look after. You do need some specialised knowledge to do things properly and setting up can be expensive.

Where are you based? one of the easiest way is to contact your local beekeeping association. There is a list here. Most of them do courses for beginners. There is also a British Beekeepers forum, it's not quite as busy or as lively as here, but they are very helpful. Beekeepers are like poultry keepers ask any three of us a question and you'll get five answers Rolling Eyes

There are a few of us on here too that keep bees. I know Itsy Bitsy and Layla do.

P.S. I've been keeping bees over five years and I've been stung once and I wasn't even working on the hive at the time - just one of those things.

Sparklepeeps · Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 1875 Location: Cheshire

My neighbour does. My OH has bee/wasp phobia and nearly had a fit the very first day that we moved into the house and saw the hives! Neither of us have ever been stung, and one hive swarmed twice this year - which is not nearly as dramatic as the cartoons would have you believe. I love the sight of the hives, very cute and quaint.

Personally I feel that cheicken keeping is a fairly involved hobby, theres always something else to learn or another problem cropping up with hens, so if you can cope with them, then bee keeping seems like a similar comitment, both financial and time wise.

nigel · Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:29 pm Post subject:

forgot to add the half and hour a week is from April/May to September only

ntsmama · Joined: 06 Dec 2007 Posts: 233

thanks for the replies.

You've encouraged me to explore this avenue further.

I've contacted the local bee keeping association. They run a course for beginners but it starts in september! I'll see if the association has any other suggestions in the meantime.

Duckie · Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 198

depending on where you are you may find the local agricltral college has a day course - they aren't always on the website because most are hopeless at updating the stuff but the short course prospectus normally has them. This is probably not the best time of year for a course though!

I was told that most local bee keeping associations are also happy for people to go along to meetings and ask for advice/info. The best way to get a nice friendly hive is also meant to be to make friends with your local beekeepers.

broncobarb · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 12 Location: Kent

my father in law kept bees for a couple of years and got alot of enjoyment from it, the bees did decide that the grass was greener elsewhere unfortunately and that was the end of his bee keeping career but he enjoyed while it lasted go for it! I'm sure if you can find a local keeper they would be happy to pass on their experience good luck

nigel · Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2008 6:30 am Post subject:

where are you based ntsama?

your local bee inspector would probably be a useful contact. I know I plagued the life out of ours when I first started.

layla · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 524 Location: West Midlands

yes we keep Bees too we have two hives in the chicken run

The bee's and chickens seem to get on fine together

Hugs Layla xx

skye girl · Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 638 Location: Isle of skye

OH is looking at doing Bees this Spring, just looking, got some books and a video tape on them