How many frames in a brood nest?

[Bob Wilson]

Here is a picture from one of my horizontal hives. I am trying to seed foundationless frames at the far edge of the brood nest for straight comb. I expected to see brood at the entrance end, and honey at the far end, however, I have found eggs, open brood, or closed brood on almost every one of the 14 frames in the box. Half the combs seem to be honey, with small, evenly laid patches of eggs, open brood, or closed brood among it. As you can see, I have a few inserted frames half built, and at least 4-5 empty frames at the end of the box providing them space. This means the queen is laying all over the box. I thought they would arrange the box to keep the brood together. Comments?

[Kwalt]

Bob, I have much the same thing going on. Lack of drawn comb, expanding brood nest and the bees don?t really have a long term plan. I believe they put things where they are needed now and where space allows now. Time will allow them to move and use up current resources and adjust to get things the way they like them. I?m guessing in a horizontal situation most all of the brood frames will have some food stores near the top, maybe even more so than a conventional langstroth hive. Once the big nectar flows start the only place to put the surplus will be at the end.

This is an opinion. But I see the same thing in my horizontal hives currently.

Kevin


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[Bob Wilson]

Thanks, Kwalt. That makes me feel better about things.

[cao]

In the spring buildup the bees in a horizontal hive expand lengthwise where a standard hive they expand the brood nest vertically.  I have several hives that had brood in 3 medium boxes tall.  If that would be spread out horizontally, it would just about fill a 4 ft. long horizontal hive.

[RatedMark]

I also have seen/read that the queen usually lays right next to the entrance for heat management. I was gonna add a queen excluder if I build my own.

[iddee]

This is just personal opinion from 45 years of beekeeping, but I suggest beeks not use a queen excluder for the first 2 or 3 years of beekeeping. There's just too many things that can go wrong that they will learn to avoid after a few years.

[Acebird]

Pay attention to 45 years of experience.
Bees will consolidate the brood nest when there are no interventions from a beekeeper.  It is the beekeeper causing the helter skelter.

[Bob Wilson]

Not planning on a queen excluder. Don't even own one.
Last year they only filled about 13 frames, so I didn't see this large brood nest pattern. It is strange the preconceived ideas I expect to see, that are wrong. Thanks for helping me see the normal.

[iddee]

""Last year they only filled about 13 frames, so I didn't see this large brood nest pattern. ""

That's the fascination of beekeeping. Even after 45 years, I still see different things constantly. Bees don't read the rule book, and do something different all the time.
Relax and enjoy them as they do as they please. You can guide them, but you cannot force them.

It's a wonderful hobby, or profession.

[BAHBEEs]

Not planning on a queen excluder. Don't even own one.
Last year they only filled about 13 frames, so I didn't see this large brood nest pattern. It is strange the preconceived ideas I expect to see, that are wrong. Thanks for helping me see the normal.

Bob, I know Q excluders are often a debate topic, but I have found one very nice advantage to them.  I never worry about rolling a queen while checking supers or adding supers or harvesting.  I know she isn't up there.  To me that is a significant reassurance.

Barry

[Ben Framed]

I have just passed my two year mark. No QE Those first two seasons. Queen excluders are now on my hives. I do not see going back without them. Some say the excluders are hard on the workers and shortens their life, but I do not know. I do know folks like Michael Palmer, HP, Ian Stephler and other Pros use them. I think I'll do what the pros do. lol.  Unless I am to learn some disadvantage this season.

Phillip Hall

[Bob Wilson]

Excluders are difficult in horizontal hives. It would be difficult to keep a tight fit inside the box. I think I am going to work without them, and see how it all goes.

[Ben Framed]

Excluders are difficult in horizontal hives. It would be difficult to keep a tight fit inside the box. I think I am going to work without them, and see how it all goes.

Yes, I see your point. Another reason I like the Good Reverend Langstroth Ten-Frame Langstroth Hive. Except for those with a physical difficulty. . Regardless, I am sure each of you have your reasons for the long hives. But just in case, some of you may be interested in the Good Reverends designs, below is a link for such, just in case some of you may be interested. Just google the following.

{ Cut List for the Ten-Frame Langstroth Hive - dummies
www.dummies.com/home-garden/hobby-farming/...
The following tables break down the ten-frame Langstroth bee hive into its individual components and provide instructions on how to cut and put together those components. Lumber in a store is identified by its nominal size, which is its rough dimension before it?s trimmed and sanded to its finished size at the lumber mill. The ?}

[yes2matt]

Nectar flow? Q might be travelling the box laying in patches if the workers are backfilling her brood comb


I've not got into TBH yet but in my regular foundationless frames I get them to draw deep by putting them is a smaller cavity, putting an empty frame between two fully drawn ones. So maybe a follower board to compress them?

My best queens keep brood in 12-13 langstroth deep frames.

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