Hey everyone i want to have an functional observation hive that i can keep in my room. Which are good? where can i buy them? and what should i look out for?
I have a package of bees coming soon, i need this ASAP. I heard Ulster hive is good, but can it actually be functional in my room? is the observation frame actually connected to the nuc? so the bees can go from nuc to the observation frame? or it's only stand alone frame that needs to come from my other hives? and can't be left alone for weeks or months at a time? Please enlighten me I want a good one that will work in my room.
Thank you,
Eldar
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,19979.0.html
This link was in the Equipment Section. I don't think I would consider the Ulter as a working OB hive, but anything is possible.
Mark
http://www.gabees.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=463&osCsid=c9f862002cdcf5b2d7818cba4d93a9fb
One like this would be a working hive. We have a grocery that has one set up. Looks great!
Mark
Heres mine:
http://mowbrayhoneyfarm.com/observationhive.aspx
I only have one pine one left though. But there is 5 oak ones and two more pines ones that will be ready in a month.
The ulster hive is not meant to be a long term thing, although maybe it could be modified, who knows. I wouldn't though, its best to go with the ones that were built to specifically keep them in long term.
Go with one of the ones they linked to if you want to make sure and no regrets.
I get great service from betterbee.
The one below that I made for my Wife cost less than a $100 and holds eight frames. It's large enough to over winter a small colony.
(http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9007/p1030212.th.jpg) (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=p1030212.jpg)
Betterbee
(http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/4842/1000616.th.jpg) (http://img150.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000616.jpg)
The nice ones are from Draper's Super Bee. Brushy Mt. used to have nice ones but doesn't sell anything but the Ulster now...
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm#observationhive