Something I haven't found on my own yet, but is the size of a new hive important? As in, can it be too big for a swarm or nuc this time of year?

Main reason is because I'm starting my first hive, and have realized that if I make it two bodies and two honey supers, I can paint it up as something rather iconic:

{{gwi:429394}}

Base is already there, and the hive cover has a nice rim that will make the top ledge quite nicely, I could then paint the panels on the two hive boxes and then have the windows and sign on the honey supers.

The location I plan on putting the hive in is already out of the sun, so I'm not overly worried about the relatively dark color being an issue.

Just wondering if two hives and two supers from the very start would be too much for a fresh colony to establish in, or if I'll need to go ahead and paint it up, then reduce it down smaller until they can build up?

This post was edited by Edymnion on Sun, Apr 28, 13 at 23:41