The Beekeepers Hive

[BeeMaster2]

Here is a new hive design that just came out.
It is basically a Nuc/boxes box on a deep with a hinged cover over the extra area over the remaining space over the deep brood area. It would bee very easy to make.
One problem that I see with it is that sliding the frames in the brood box out to inspect them. After one month of the bees propalising the frames it would bee very difficult to do. On the plus side, most of the time you can tell what is going on by looking at just a couple of frames in the brood box.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-keeper-s-hive-an-easier-way-to-manage-bees?utm_source=cordial&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=240612_wednesday_cg_2024-06-12#/

Jim Altmiller

[The15thMember]

I very much question the claim that this hive requires no lifting.  It's still a vertical style.  And the blazing fact is (as my younger sister likes to say), you can sit to inspect the bottom box or two on a normal Langstroth as long as your stand is short enough. 

I honestly don't know why people try to reinvent the Langstroth wheel so much.  The design of the Langstroth hive has changed little in like 170 years.  I could maybe get behind making a new hive that is very different from the concept of the Langstroth, but something like this will never catch on.     

[Ben Framed]

I honestly don't know why people try to reinvent the Langstroth wheel so much.  The design of the Langstroth hive has changed little in like 170 years.

I agree.

Phillip

[Occam]

I don't know, I think experimentation is great. It's still a simple design overall and has potential. Still uses standard frames so it would be a decent option for many with limited strength or mobility. Drawbacks or weaknesses to anything inspire creativity and innovation. This is what I like about horizontal hives as well, they offer another way of keeping bees. They're certainly not for everyone and they have their own drawbacks, but every system has drawbacks. Just a matter of finding the system that most closely fits your life and abilities.

[Ben Framed]

> but every system has drawbacks. Just a matter of finding the system that most closely fits your life and abilities.

That is true. I remember, a discussion here a couple of years ago about long haves for the benefit of a person who might be an amputee. The long hive would certainly be an advantage there. 

[The15thMember]

I guess my beef with it is that there are far better hive designs already for people with mobility issues.  I'm fine with experimentation, but I'm not really sure what need this is meeting in a way that's superior to things that already exist. 

[Bill Murray]

So, its interesting BUT Ive been running a 10 frame with nucs stacked on top since Crikey, cant remember. They are good for what they are good for, but could you imagine the tower with a necter flow on? Just saying.

On the other-hand, try it out Jim and let us know how it works out for you.

[Ben Framed]

I agree, Reagan. If folks want to continue trying to improve the Langstroth hive more power to them. After 170 years it?s proven itself as you have noted. Most of the time I?m fully open minded to changes if they catch my attention. But with the time tested and proven Landstrioth someone will have to come up with something super-duper to catch my attention. lol  No harm meant.
And in this situation each opinion is equally worthy as Occam has explained his with good sound reasoning.

[Occam]

could you imagine the tower with a necter flow on? Just saying.

So being relatively new to beekeeping and never having had a big honey harvest here I've often wondered about tall stacks. Is it just that the bees are bringing in so quickly and it hasn't cured enough you have to leave the boxes on the hive? Couldn't you pull a box or two once it was capped instead of just going higher? It's just coming on so fast the honey hasn't bed cited and capped yet, right?

[BeeMaster2]

Depends on what you want to do. Some beekeepers, mostly hobbyists extract several times. Most commercial beekeepers do one extraction per flow before they move the bees. Or they extract as soon as one floral type is done so that the honey is 80% one type which brings in a higher dollar.
Jim Altmiller

[Ben Framed]

Good discussion, good points made by all. Looking forward to more opinions and ideas here...

[Occam]

Fair enough, that's interesting. I need to plant a lot more high food value trees and perennials for the bees. None of my hives have ever moved beyond the 2 deep stage yet, not even really filling the second deep.

[Ben Framed]

Fair enough, that's interesting. I need to plant a lot more high food value trees and perennials for the bees. None of my hives have ever moved beyond the 2 deep stage yet, not even really filling the second deep.

Planting good bee stuff is always a good idea. The surrounding area must 'also' product the good stuff as well. Occam are there other beekeepers in you immediate area? If so, I am wondering if they have similar reports as you as far as production amounts of honey generated by their bees are concerned.. Location can make a big difference. Checking with other beekeepers in your area could be beneficial in understanding why your bees are not making the amounts of honey which you might be hoping for? 


Phillip

[The15thMember]

Is it just that the bees are bringing in so quickly and it hasn't cured enough you have to leave the boxes on the hive?

This is my situation.  My climate is very humid, so it takes a while for bees to cap honey, especially honey that is naturally very runny, like sourwood.