Alternative Hive Question

[beesharp]

Greetings! I kept bees around 10 years ago and grew to about 20 hives. The hobby grew a bit more than I wanted to deal with and keeping bees in the DFW TX was always a challenge to find spots to keep bees, so I got out beekeeping. We recently moved to rural Indiana and have enough space to keep a couple hive in our back yard.

I'm probably going to get a couple packages in the spring, so I'm starting to look at wooden ware to assemble over winter to get ready. I remember seeing an alternative hive design where it was basically a Langstroth hive turned sideways. IIRC the thinking was that by having the combs perpendicular to the entrance was more natural similar to a TBH setup. Is that still an option or does anyone know the website that talks about that hive set up?

I suspect I'll probably just go with a typical hive(maybe all 8 frame gear), but wanted to research the alternatives.

TIA
Jim

[HillBilly2]

I have no idea, sounds like an internet mall ninja trying to sell something, but what do I know. What is natural? If you want to try this just use a regular hive bottom, block off the front entrance and cut an entrance in the side. I don't know, think I'm missing something.........

[ggileau]

You must be talking about a theory called "warm way". I just read an article on honeybeesuite.com about warm way/cold way. Check it out! It sounds like a fad but who knows, maybe Lanstroth had it backwards after all. 

[chux]

I think hillbilly2's suggestion is the simplest way to try it out. Just cut a notch, or drill some holes in the side of the regular bottom board, and cut a shim to close off the front entrance. I like the idea of a few drilled 3/4" holes for the entrances. It laves enough room for a strong colony to work, but can easily be defended by a weaker colony, especially if you plug one of two holes with a cork.

What is drawing you toward this supposedly more natural design? Perhaps you should consider using foundationless frames. Maybe a different form factor for the hive. A horizontal hive. While you're thinking outside the box, consider these types of options.   

[beesharp]

I found it - had to beat Google half to death to find the DE Hive - http://www.beeworks.com/d_e_details.html

It was just on of those things that vaguely remembered seeing, but couldn't quite put my finger on. The stuff they talk about seems to make sense, but it's unlikely that I would try the totally non-standard frames & boxes. Down the road a bit I may try the previous suggestion to just turn a standard hive sideways.

Thanks
Jim

[little john]

With the exception of one Warre, all my vertical hives are British National hives which, being square, can be run either 'warm-way' or 'cold-way' - and in my experience this doesn't make a hap'orth of difference.

From your link: "The deep box or brood box is square 18 x 18. It holds 11 frames, " - that's right - that's the British National hive - nothing at all revolutionary about this, it's been around since before 1940 to my knowledge.

Also - my Long Hives have entrances at their ends (warm-way), and my divided Long Hives (4x 5-frame nucs in one box) have entrances at the side (cold-way). Again - no difference - the bees don't seem to care either way. All they ever seem to want is just to get out of the weather.

LJ