View Full Version : 'Natural' Oservation Hive Construction
The anonymous buzzing bee
10-26-2005, 07:43 AM
I wasn't sure wether this went here on in the TBH forum, but here goes anyway...
I saw Ross' observation hive (http://www.myoldtools.com/OBhive/OBhive.html) he had been building and wondered if it would be possible to make one similar, but as a top bar instead , with one large naturally made comb. My only concerns would be wether it would support its own weight, and that it might be damaged more easily during transport. Any ideas/suggestions?
P.S. - Brilliant OBH, Ross.
[ October 26, 2005, 08:44 AM: Message edited by: The anonymous buzzing bee ]
drobbins
10-26-2005, 07:53 AM
check out the picture at the top left of this page
http://www2.gsu.edu/~biojdsx/obshiv.htm
probably impractical, but still a kool picture.
Dave
The anonymous buzzing bee
10-26-2005, 08:09 AM
I was thinking more of just one single comb, so you could pivot it and see the entire hive.
I think it would work fine. You'll probably want to go to minimum glass spacing to make sure they don't cross comb it too badly. I think Michael recommends about 1.5" to 1 5/8" for natural cell size. I've considered that myself. You'll notice I use foundationless frames anyway.
Michael Bush
10-26-2005, 08:46 AM
If you let them build the comb themselves in the hive, 1 1/2" works well. That's what Huber recommended. I don't have a lot of luck with that spacing when I want to pull frames out of a hive and put them in an observation hive because it's too tight in places.
The will eventually attach the sides and it will be pretty stable, but part of managing an observation hive is pulling frames out now and then when it gets too crowded. I just use foundationless frames so I get natural comb and I can pull the frames out. Once in a while they will build a "fin" going the opposite way, but mostly it works pretty well.
Maybe if you put just top bars (with a comb guide of some sort) and had more than one, then you could cut a comb out when it gets too crowded.
The anonymous buzzing bee
10-28-2005, 01:34 PM
Thanks for the ideas.
Ross - any chance of 'chapter 3' appearing on your website?
Maybe soon. I may have enough pictures from my build to put it together.
It's posted. Not as thorough, but it should get you moving. I'll try to add to it later. Email with questions.
http://www.myoldtools.com/OBhive/OBhive.html
The anonymous buzzing bee
10-30-2005, 02:42 AM
Thanks, Ross