How many supers?

[bassman1977]

How many supers should I put on?  I started my hive about two weeks ago currently I have a medium super on top of the hive body.  Obviously this won't be enough.  What I had planned to do is use the body, the medium super and a shallow super for the bees.  I'd then put the excluder on, then above that, eventually work up to 3 shallows and 3 mediums.  I live on a farm and there are numerous other farms in the area so I don't think my ladies will have a hard time filling that up.  Any thoughts?

[thegolfpsycho]

With a new colony, I wouldn't get in a big rush to add room yet.  Especially if your adding it with foundation.  Drawn comb is a valuable commodity.  Get the brood box mostly drawn out, then add the next box.  They have to control the temps in the hive, so too much room can be detrimental for a small colony.  Sometimes things happen fast, (I'm adding a 3rd box to a couple packages started 6 weeks ago),  but several colonys started at the same time have just begun to work the second box.  You will probably find it beneficial to standardize your equipment as well.  Sometimes you need to move things around, and with all different sizes of equipment, it doesn't work out too well.