Slatted Racks

[Joseph Clemens]

http://cordovan-honeybee.com/slatted_racks/slatted_rack_photo_gallery.htm

[fuzzybeekeeper]

Beautiful construction.

But....

.....what is the purpose of the slatted racks?  Ventilation?  Ease of movement for bees?  You still have 10 frames in the box.  Wouldn't it be about the same if you do like Michael and shave a little off each frame and put 11 frames in and have more brood space?

Just a country boy scratching his noggin at the purpose of the extra work.

Fuzzybeekeeper

[Joseph Clemens]

It seems to be very similar indeed;

In the slatted rack setup I use:  10 frames of 1-1/4" spacing are used with small-cell (similar to what MB does), this provides 20 comb surfaces. With side racks the bees will regularly use the outside comb surfaces for brood. Without side racks the bees seldom use the outside comb surfaces for anything but honey and pollen. So we have the extra ventilation afforded by the racks, extra space for the bees to allow them to stay out of the congested brood nest, and a little less weight (one less frame and comb).

11 frames without slatted side racks (22 comb surfaces, the outer two seldom if ever used for brood) = 20 comb surfaces for brood.

[Phoenix]

Plus two for honey and pollen... :D

[Joseph Clemens]

My bees put some honey and pollen on almost every frame in the brood nest,