Observation Hive

IndianaBrown · February 03, 2007, 01:01:59 AM

I want to start an observation hive this year.

First, the design. My current thought is to go 3 frames wide and 2 frames high (a deep and a medium most likely, although I may go with 2 deeps.) While I won't be able to see as much of what goes on with a 3 frame, I am willing to trade off some visibility to insure that the hive is more viable in the long run. I would like the hive to be at least somewhat portable, and I don't want something too tall and narrow. I am working out a combination of these 2 designs, trying to keep it as simple as possible:
http://www.beesource.com/plans/obsrhive.htm
http://bwrangler.farvista.net/gobh.htm
As for frames, I currently have Pierco mediums and a mix of wood and Pierco deeps. I wanted to try to start with deep wooden frames with starter strips on the bottom level so I can watch the comb building process. But if I use the starter strips on the bottom and plastic mediums above them I am wondering what the bees would build first. (I have some mediums that are already drawn, so I could use these to help them get off to a faster start.) On the other hand I could build it 2 deeps high and do the whole thing with wood and starter strips.

Second, The bees themselves. Currently I have 2 hives.
The first one started from a nuc that I bought early last May, with a queen that was reported to be "mostly Italian, but bread for mite tolerance" and shows some Russian tendencies; lots of queen cups, headbutting, propolizing, etc. These bees seem to be perfectly healthy. I got 40 pounds of honey from this hive.
The second hive started from a swarm that I captured a few weeks later. These bees are much lighter in color, headbut less, sting more, but propolize less. After a quick flurry of wax building, this hive seemed content to build more slowly. It never had as many bees as the other hive. It also tended to 'chimney', and briefly had a bit of chalk brood, although that was probably because I gave them too much room too soon. I only got a couple frames of honey from this hive last year.

Although I would be very interested to watch the observation hive rear it's own queen, I don't know if that is a practical goal for now. If I try for that could I get away with taking a single deep frame with eggs and nurse bees and use it in the middle of the bottom of the observation hive if I provide lots of honey/syrup and pollen? If not I would be willing to buy a queen. (Michael Bush, do you raise/sell any queens in the spring?)

Anyway, my plans/goals for this are still being worked out, so advice and suggestions would be appreciated.

Ross · February 03, 2007, 09:36:52 AM

First of all, if the OBhive is indoors, the bees will do fine with a single frame width. If you go more than one frame wide, you will almost never see the queen. Frame size should be based on whatever you use in your brood nests. It is much easier to start and manage an OBhive if you can give them frames of eggs to hold the bees. With at least 5 medium frame equivalent, they can certainly raise a queen. I enjoyed watching mine. Mine is moved about once a year at most for cleaning. Otherwise it cares for itself with a little feeding. It is seven medium frames high and swivel mounted on a wall.
http://www.myoldtools.com/OBhive/OB3.jpg

Michael Bush · February 03, 2007, 12:22:43 PM

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

IndianaBrown · February 05, 2007, 02:36:17 AM

Michael Bush, Thanks for the link. I should have included it above. I have learned a ton from your site and will join the others who say that you should publish a book. It is partly your influence that has me planning on the observation hive. The links I posted were just there to help illustrate the designs I am looking at.

Ross, That is a beautiful observation hive! As I said, I am looking for viability and portability, not just visibility. You have me leaning toward 2 deeps rather than a deep and a medium. That way I can start with a frame of eggs with nurse bees and use empty frames with starter strips for the rest. At 2 rames high by 3 frames wide it will be a bit larger than a standard nuc.

I still have to decide which bees to use. My 'Italians' are a bit more industrious, but propolize more. My 'Ferals' may be a better choice with less propolis, but also because they may fill in the hive a bit more slowly and be less likely to need as much swarm management. Suggestions welcome.

If anyone else has images of their observation hives I would like to see them. :)

Cindi · February 05, 2007, 09:39:19 AM

I have a question about the observation hives. I think that they would be a great idea and am contemplating one myself this year.

My queery is, do the bees become stressed in the hive without the dark walls to keep their world in the dark? It would seem to me that being open to the light may cause a high degree of stress within the colony. Any observations on behaviour of the colony that may indicate stress. Great day. Cindi

Brian D. Bray · February 05, 2007, 07:30:01 PM

If you're worried about too much light drape a towel or table cloth over it when not observing.

If the Observation hive is more than one frame wide the queen and all of the brood rearing will take place between the frames. All that will be viewable from the outside is the bees going about storing nector, pollen, and capping honey. You will miss the most import objectives of having an observation hive. Build it higher, 3 frames vs 2 frames. Make 2 or more rows of frames end by end. But if you want to observe the queen and the brood chamber do not put the frames side by side.

Jerrymac · February 05, 2007, 07:33:53 PM

Bees do sometimes build out in the open. I don't think darkness is that big of a deal for them, as long as there is no direct sun light to really heat things up.

Michael Bush · February 05, 2007, 08:17:22 PM

I keep a black curtain on them for privacy. I'm sure it leaks some light, and they don't seem to care. I have seen them in nature centers etc. where they are open to the light all the time and they seem to do ok.

If you want a deeper hive (which I don't) and you want to be able to see the queen laying and the brood (which I do), the Ulster hive from Brushy Mt. might meet your criteria.

Ocean · March 01, 2007, 01:48:16 PM

Michael do you have observation hives for sale (link)? i want to for my home which i can easily maintain. Not too expensive of course as well. I was looking at the Ulster hive the one u mentioned, and i don't understand is that for the inside or the outside? And if it's for the inside would you have to make a special exit/entrance for your bees?

Thank you.

Michael Bush · March 01, 2007, 02:41:34 PM

>Michael do you have observation hives for sale (link)?

Do a search on "draper" and on "observation hive"

>I was looking at the Ulster hive the one u mentioned, and i don't understand is that for the inside or the outside?

It's really for taking to a farmer's market or other events. I could be modified to be inside, but would need a way to fill a feeder and something to attach the tube to.

> And if it's for the inside would you have to make a special exit/entrance for your bees?

Yes.

Understudy · March 01, 2007, 07:42:47 PM

threadjack

Just out of curiosity did IndianaBrown leave us?
Looks like he did. Bummer
/threadjack

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Michael Bush · March 01, 2007, 08:36:37 PM

>Just out of curiosity did IndianaBrown leave us?

How can you tell that?

Understudy · March 01, 2007, 09:01:58 PM

His name is in black letters and his status is now guest.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

Moonshae · June 19, 2007, 09:11:01 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on March 01, 2007, 02:41:34 PM
>Michael do you have observation hives for sale (link)?

Do a search on "draper" and on "observation hive"

Michael, how do the Draper hives measure up to your standards regarding beespace between the frames and glass? These are what I had been considering. What would be the best way to populate one? A 3# package seems like too many bees.

buzzbee · June 19, 2007, 09:18:29 PM

Put your frames in a nuc box,empty the bees in ,and when they crawl on the frames ,put the frames into the observation hive .Three pound package works fine!

http://s93.photobucket.com/albums/l65/kwrabbit/Observation%20%20Hive/
Didn't get the photos in order but you'll get the basic idea!

Moonshae · June 19, 2007, 10:27:31 PM

Did you put the queen cage in the ob hive or the nuc? Can't tell from your pic?

buzzbee · June 19, 2007, 10:43:18 PM

I put it in the observation hive. i used 1 frame of drawn comb and pushed the cage back into the wax on the bottom of the frame.They went right to work on the sugar candy,but took about two days to release her.
Double click the "Third Day" pic and you can see the queen cage.