Yet Another O.H

[Les Evans]

Hi,
I was thinking that I should maybe make an observation hive so that I can watch/study the bees and actually learn something's about them.
I know this has been talked to death here but nothing about this particular hive.
While looking around I seen an add in the March 2006 ABJ magazine(pg.266)for a Ulster Observation Hive sold by Brushy Mountain.

Ulster Observation Hive (http://www.beeequipment.com/products.asp?pcode=U501)

I really like this design and would like to build it(with some modification) but am unsure of what dimensions I should make it?
It holds five frames and a division board feeder,so I am thinking there are four frames and the feeder on the bottom and one frame up top.
A Queen excluder between the top and bottom to keep the queen in the top section and top/bottom ventilation.

Also will I be able to winter the Bees in the O.H and keep them from leaving me? I don't plan on keeping this indoors but on my porch where it gets sun in the morning through mid afternoon.
Other then this all I need to know is what is the proper amount of space between the sides and the glass for the frames and the rest should be as smooth as butter to make.I know I can more then likely figure this out on my own but its nice to have help.

Thank you

[Ross]

Glass spacing should be 1 3/4" +- 1/8". If you are small cell, drop down to 1.5" to 1 5/8". I would not trap the queen above the brood nest for long periods of time. I think these are meant to be short term cases. If you can make it so the queen excluder can be easily removed, that might work. I think the original design was to make the upper frame case removeable so the frame can be returned to the nuc when not needed for a show.

[Michael Bush]

If it's free flying I don't see why five frames of bees wouldn't winter fine. I overwitner two four medium frame observation hives every winter. Inside, of course.

[PA Pete]

Is there a minimum temperature you'd recommend keeping an OH above? The wife likes the idea of an OH, so long as it stays in the basement, which gets down to the low 60s (I think) or maybe even upper 50s in winter. Our basement is at ground level in the back - it has windows and a sliding door smile.gif

[Ross]

With a 5 frame nuc configuration, it can winter down into the teens. With a single frame width configuration, I cover mine when I'm not looking at it, even with the house in the 70's. It's hard on the bees to maintain that 95 degree greenhouse when the glass is sucking heat out.

[Les Evans]

Hi Ross,
Thanks for the spacing measurements.
I had planned to modify this design any ways so I can make the Queen excluder removable.
I wasn't thinking that the bees usually store honey above the brood nest and just thought that she would do her business above limiting overpopulation?
But then again this will kind of defeat my purpose in that every time I would want to peak in and see what the Queen was up to I would have to pull it apart find the frame She is on and then reinsert Her in the above section,Not very practical is it?


Hi Michael,
Yes,I planned to let them free fly.
I don't know about over wintering them in the house though as we don't keep the house heated anywhere near what most people do. Think of Eskimos smile.gif
Then again our winters aren't near as cold as yours with temps that dip to maybe the low 30's on occasion but we are guaranteed to get wet,very WET.


Does anybody have plans for anything similar to the Ulster O.H that they could share?

Thanks for the help guys

[ May 15, 2006, 01:48 AM: Message edited by: Les Evans ]

[Ross]

Here's my OB hive with some general build instructions.
www.myoldtools.com/OBhive/OBhive.html (http://www.myoldtools.com/OBhive/OBhive.html)

[Les Evans]

Hi Ross,
Thanks for the link.
I have seen your page before...Nice looking O.H.
I think I will base a design off of yours but cut it down to about 4-5 frames and add a bottom screen/doors and put it on a lazy Susan style stand like I have seen on others. With some other modifications.
I have started drawing up some plans of what I would like to build and will post some pictures when I am done.
I'm not in any real hurry as I don't plan to populate it until next spring so I can have some fun with the build and make it more fancy then it probably really needs to be.

Thank you

[ May 16, 2006, 02:15 AM: Message edited by: Les Evans ]

[Ross]

A bottom cleanout is a good idea. If the hive crashes for whatever reason, the hose will get plugged with dead bees (personal experience). I haven't seen a need for more ventilation, but mine is in the house and never gets over 85 degrees. 5 frames tall on a lazy susan may get a little tippy. Included some mass in the base.

[Les Evans]

Hi Ross,
Thanks,I will incorporate a clean out and some weight in the base.
I was thinking for the bottom being screened I would add a sliding tray to close it off when needed...kind of like a SBB on a regular hive. I could use it for ventilation and for IPM.

Thank you