Who has the best observation hives

[Shanevrr]

Im looking for fairly big one to hang on wall, maybe 8 frame or so.  Anyone have any ideas?  Or any experiance with them.

[specialkayme]

"Best" is an extremely subjective viewpoint. Ask a dozen beekeepers a question, you'll get 13 answers. The same is true here.

Bonterra makes a fine observation hive, from what I've heard, but personally I think their hives have a number of drawbacks. Price is one, although arguably they charge market rates. The largest issue I have with their hives is the double deep configuration. I understand the need for it in Maine, but most of the rest of the US doesn't need it. Plus, it defeats the purpose of having an observation hive, as probably 1/2 the time (if not more) the queen and half the work force is out of view.

I've built my fair share of observation hives, and personally I like the kind you build yourself. You can have it custom made for your own likings, without paying an arm and a leg for them. But if you aren't handy with wood, I wouldn't force it.

I suggest between 3-4 deep frames, or 4-6 medium frames for an observation hive. Anything beyond that is a little difficult to handle, in my opinion. Keep in mind that you need to bring it outside to do maintenance on it, even if it's only once a year. For that reason, I like to be able to cary it outside myself. The wife is a kind soul, but to put her in that position makes her uncomfortable, and for the sake of my marriage a 3 deep OH works better than a 6 deep one. I could ask for a friends help, but then I'm tied to someone else's schedule. So it comes down to how much I can carry without risking dropping it. With plenty of wood surrounding it, and it packed full of bees, that usually ends up at about 3 deep frames, 4 if I wanted to push it. I haven't had a problem overwintering indoors on 4 medium frames in NC, and my guess is you wouldn't either in VA. Alaska or Maine might be a different story though, lol.

Hopefully that helps, and points you in the right direction. I made a thread last year or so on building your own OH, and if you'd like a link I can find it for you. It wasn't a wall mounted one, but I could change that quickly if you wanted some help with it.

[buzzbee]

This is the unit I purchased from Drapers.I stained supers for the stand to place it on.It has a turntable where the entrance/exit tube goes through the center. There is a sliding  door on the bottom of the ob hive tube and one on the other side of the turntable . This allows the tube to be closed off as well as the ob hive if you wish to take it outside for maintenance.You just lift it off the turntable.
I installed a package into it and the marked queen was in there for three summers.

After this colony dwindled I had a swarm move in and take up residence for a couple months.

[Shanevrr]

I looked at the Bonterra.  I emailed them and no response and they have no number to call which is weird.  I would like to build my own, and possibly build a few to sell in store and display in our store that can be stable enough that will not require a lot of maintenance.  Im not really worried about weight, just want something big enough to maintain a healthy hive.

[Tommyt]

Shanevrr
specialkayme Has a detailed post with pictures on his build,IMHO its one of the best looking around
Good luck

Merry Christmas
Tommyt

[specialkayme]

Thanks Tommy.

Here's a link, to save you the search time, if interested: http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,30161.0.html

[Country Heart]

Wow, the Bonterra hives look nice - expensive, but nice.  Thanks for the info.

    Think I'll wait and hope to build my own some day.