Will an observation hive be self- sustaining with so few frames in it? I'm anxious to build one, just for my own personal workspace, but I am worried that these simple three frame deal-i-o's that I keep seeing won't be able to over-winter and the like? I've considered making one larger, space is not really an issue in my workshop, but then the cost of glass starts to skyrocket!
>Will an observation hive be self- sustaining with so few frames in it?
An observation hive tends to boom and bust because of the small space but if you have another hive to borrow from and to move things out to keep it on a more even keel it can survive.
> I'm anxious to build one, just for my own personal workspace, but I am worried that these simple three frame deal-i-o's that I keep seeing won't be able to over-winter and the like?
Some winters they do well some winters they don't. Like I said, it's boom or bust.
> I've considered making one larger, space is not really an issue in my workshop, but then the cost of glass starts to skyrocket!
And they are heavy to haul outside...
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm