New Design for 2020
Specifications of the Hive body
External dimensions Length 64cm Width 42cm Height 56cm
Internal dimensions L 52cm W 30cm Depth 51.5cm
Wall thickness 6cm
Quilt box 10cm deep
Height above ground without quilt box 100cm
Frame
Internal size 26.4 cm x 43 cm
Features
- The hive body has two walls separated with insulation of either packed straw or cork granules. The outer wall is made from Siberian Larch which is very stable and durable.
- The inner wall is made from Western Red Cedar. This is left rough sawn which encourages the bees to propolize more than they would do on a planed smooth interior.
- The hive is kept off the ground by durable larch legs which easily bolt on to the body with stainless M8 bolts.
- There are two removable boards on the bottom. These allow you to monitor comb growth and population size without disturbing the bees and examine the board for comb debris. If feeding is required then this can be done via the bottom of the hive.
- On the frames is put a hessian top cloth which has been sized with a flour and water paste.
- The frames are 27mm wide with a V-shaped top bar. The bottom bar is narrower at 15mm. This allows a clear view of the comb above
- A quilt box adds insulation to the top of the hive and allows passage of moisture to vent out through the curved roof
Managing a Golden hive
The intention of this hive is to have minimal interventions, giving the bees a warm insulated hive where they can grow deep comb without a queen excluder. Frames are added as the colony grows and a modest harvest can be taken by removing a frame with capped honey on the left-hand side of the hive without disturbing the brood. An alternative method would be to leave all the frames in the hive body for the bee and then add a shallow super by replacing the quilt box during a nectar flow.