Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: GaryMinckler on May 05, 2011, 05:05:39 AM

Title: Observation hive made it!
Post by: GaryMinckler on May 05, 2011, 05:05:39 AM
My 2 frame observation hive made it through a long brutal northeastern winter.  Watched queen all winter and finally have a nice brood pattern now.  Pretty cool!!
Title: Re: Observation hive made it!
Post by: hiram.ga.bee.man on May 05, 2011, 08:16:55 AM
Got any pics? Any suggestions for success?
Title: Re: Observation hive made it!
Post by: BjornBee on May 05, 2011, 08:22:10 AM
Congratulations.

I have terrible success overwintering observation hives. Not even going to try anymore.
Title: Re: Observation hive made it!
Post by: hankdog1 on May 05, 2011, 08:46:52 AM
Quote from: GaryMinckler on May 05, 2011, 05:05:39 AM
My 2 frame observation hive made it through a long brutal northeastern winter.  Watched queen all winter and finally have a nice brood pattern now.  Pretty cool!!

Should have noticed the brood pattern at least a month ago.  Congrats two frames of bees to make it through the winter up north is no easy task.
Title: Re: Observation hive made it!
Post by: gwalker314 on May 06, 2011, 03:40:35 AM
Congrats Gary,
I started a 2 frame observation hive this spring. I was wondering if 2 frames were enough room to sustain a colony for a long period of time. Looks like you have proven it can. Does the queen lay brood in the top section as well and they just store honey & pollen around the brood?

GW
Title: Re: Observation hive made it!
Post by: GaryMinckler on May 06, 2011, 04:39:36 AM
Last year brood was on bottom..now brood is on top frame. maybe because thats where the food source ended. I have pics here somewhere.
Title: Re: Observation hive made it!
Post by: VolunteerK9 on May 06, 2011, 11:57:55 AM
I want an observation hive, but for some reason the wife said I couldnt put it in house. She always spoils the all the fun.
Title: Re: Observation hive made it!
Post by: Michael Bush on May 07, 2011, 12:50:13 AM
I put it in the living room.  It's the best channel on TV... Bee TV.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm (http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm)