Slatted rack recommendation; Rossman or Betterbee?
Other than price i didn't see a difference. I built my own. Which isn't any different either.
i dont see the purpose or expense
I don't use them either, but if you want to have them, remember shipping in the cost when comparing. Also, check to see if the Rossman's may be made out of cypress which may last longer.
I notice less bearding on hives with bottom entrances and a slated rack. Seems to give the field bees a place to hang out inside as opposed to outside where the skunks can get them. I don't think they're critical, but they do have some useful purposes.
Quote from: BlueBee on October 26, 2011, 09:48:32 PM
I don't think they're critical, but they do have some useful purposes.
Like?
Like: Room for the field bees to roost under the brood chamber. Less bearding, less brood nest congestion.
Like: Getting the bees inside the box and and out of the elements, animals, and sudden cold rain. Less dead bees.
Like: Breaking up incoming drafts to some degree.
I'm NOT a big proponent of the things myself, but these are things I have seen when using them. My preference is a top/mid entrance to solve all the above noted items.
I agree with BlueBee. They aren't critical but I have them on all 3 of my hives. I noticed a dramatic drop in bearding the day they went on.
Also, the queen will lay right to the bottom of the frames in the bottom box as they are out of the way of any draft coming in from the bottom entrance. And it keeps any chill off the bottom brood.
ok just wondering :-D
Quote from: ldaxon on October 26, 2011, 11:31:34 PM
Also, the queen will lay right to the bottom of the frames in the bottom box as they are out of the way of any draft coming in from the bottom entrance. And it keeps any chill off the bottom brood.
That's the reason why i use them. It functions as an internal heater/air conditioner. Since they can also fan the hive too.
Sorry to jump in so late here, but I have an alternative that I learned from Beth Kahkonen at Washington State University during their Field Day this past June.
Instead of making/buying a separate piece of equipment, try putting a western under your bottom brood box. The western needs to have either all new foundation in it, or foundation that has only been used as brood comb (so it needs to be dry). Do not use foundation that has drawn comb that was used for honey supers. Beth says if you do, the bees will have an increased need to feel they need to work the comb, defeating the purpose of providing extra space.
In our group its referred to as, "Beth's Basement" or "the rec room". After adding it to half my hives (I used new, undrawn foundation), I noticed a huge decrease in bearding (as in nonexistent on those hives) and decreased swarm cell building. I really like the concept because many of us have extra westerns around and this didn't involve acquiring yet another type of "exclusive use" equipment that I would have to find storage for.
So what's a "western"? :?
It's a Medium Super. What many use for Brood boxes and Honey Supers. It's 6 5/8" in height.
i thought a medium box was called an illinois super.
In my researching I have learned that Illinois and Western are just different names for same thing,
Will they draw the foundation in the basment ? And do you take them off in the winter?
No. The ones I placed were still undrawn when I pulled them mid-October. I checked with Beth about leaving or pulling them and she said to pull them. This is for the same reason we would want to anyway, to remove any extra space that might rob heat from the bees, but it was nice to have her confirmation when trying a new thing.
Quote from: Hemlock on October 27, 2011, 07:59:38 AM
Quote from: ldaxon on October 26, 2011, 11:31:34 PM
Also, the queen will lay right to the bottom of the frames in the bottom box as they are out of the way of any draft coming in from the bottom entrance. And it keeps any chill off the bottom brood.
That's the reason why i use them. It functions as an internal heater/air conditioner. Since they can also fan the hive too.
Same here. We use them on all of our hives and found out another advantage. When we do powder sugar treatments with our bellows tool it really does a great job because of all the girls hanging out there.
Received slatted racks from Rossman, I am pleased with service and quality! :)
Quote from: JackM on October 28, 2011, 09:31:34 AM
In my researching I have learned that Illinois and Western are just different names for same thing,
I'm afraid internet searches are incomplete. And inaccurate.
They are
NOT the same.
The 'Medium Super' was developed and promoted by Dadant's of Hamilton, Illinois and therefore refered to as the 'illinois super' by others.
It is 6 5/8" deep.
The 'Western Super' was developed and sold originally by Western Bee Supply. Therefore refered to as the 'western super'.
It is 7 5/8" deep.
The original width of an 1x8" board.
The Western Deep is really the ideal depth for 5 & 8 frame Garden Hives.
Good storage, yet light weight and fewer pieces.
Quote from: WPG on November 09, 2011, 02:59:06 AM
They are NOT the same.
The 'Western Super' was developed and sold originally by Western Bee Supply. Therefore refered to as the 'western super'.
It is 7 5/8" deep.
Thanks for correcting that.
>The 'Western Super' was developed and sold originally by Western Bee Supply. Therefore refered to as the 'western super'.
That's what I used to think but a lot of people insist it is a medium. The term is not in common usage in my part of the country so I can't say what everyone means by it...
Back in the 50s and 60s in New England.
'Medium Super' 'illinois super' are the some Dadant bee supply 6 5/8"
'Western Super' is by Western Bee Supply 7 5/8"
In the past 30 years or so you do not hear this terms use in this part of the country.
NOW
Mediums Western Illinois all the some 6 5/8"
Must bee getting OLD :shock: :roll: :shock:
Just my $0.02
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
I've been following this thread. i raised this topic with 3 of the most experienced beekeepers in the E.M.B.A. at our meeting this past Wednesday. all three have tried them & all three no longer use them but acknowledged the advantages mentioned in the posts under this topic. 1 of them mentioned that on the earliest racks he had that the slats ran perpendicular to the frames & later made racks had the slats running parallel. looking at websites i see that brushy mountain racks have parallel slats while rossman offers them configured both ways. for those of you who use them do you have a preference?
>for those of you who use them do you have a preference?
The ones running with the frames were created with the theory that a slatted rack would work better with them. I don't think it matters.