Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: DonMcJr on May 10, 2014, 12:53:17 pm
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Well next week I will have photo's and Video but wanted to share some pics now.
I can't take credit for the Build Dave in Our Bee Club Built it (I want one for at home!) We planned it together along with 4-5 other Beekeepers and the Nature Center Director...
2 Frames thick and the 1st Pic you can see we have windows to see between the frames too!
It's Varnished to Match the Log Cabin Nature Center building!
We should be installing a Nuc in it next week! Can't wait!
(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1229922_234781086710128_702541730_n.jpg)
(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/397508_234781083376795_1868506651_n.jpg)
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Oh and I have a Question...
The entrance is on the Bottom. We want to make one of the 4 sections just 2 frames and no foundation so the bee's can build "wild" comb. Should we leave the empty frames at the top or the bottom?
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Anyone wanna gimme an opinion on where to put the Foundationless frames?
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I would install one at a time beside a drawn frame, top two positions.
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I would install one at a time beside a drawn frame, top two positions.
I like that idea! ;D
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Good stuff. Please continue to show some pics of this as it rolls along.
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Just me, but I would put in frames with starter strips of foundation to get them going in the right direction with one at the top next to a frame of drawn comb and, one second from top next to a frame of drawn comb from the nuc. They will start at the top empty frame and build down, this will will take them longer and give more of the visitors a chance to see it.
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That's not an observation hive---it's a beautiful furniture display case.
I agree with Iddee and G3 about putting the frames for building next to a built frame, like G3 says, with a starter strip, one on the left side and one on the right---but I'd put them in the middle two levels---there you're more likely to get worker bee sized cells. Up above, where the bees are most likely to do their storing of honey, they'd probably build drone sized cells.
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Went and picked up 2 Nucs today...one for my Home Apiary and the other for the Nature Center Indoor Observation Hive!
Stay tuned tomorrow for some pics and possible a Video depending on if it's raining or not... 8)
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If it was up to the bees in nature they would start at the top and work down so to replicate nature you could place the bees and frames from the nuc in the top and let the bees work down. But being beekeepers we like to get the bees to work up, by doing this we avoid the queen laying in the honey frames so the frames stay whiter.
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The Bees are in! It was raining a lot so I didn't get a lot of pics...
Getting Ready...
(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10300029_255333674654869_273309384541707719_n.jpg)
The Bees are in!!!
(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10268608_255333721321531_7315303075661263811_n.jpg)
Close up...
(https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/1610007_255333744654862_8111588679531975747_n.jpg)
Checking them out...
(https://scontent-a-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10383013_255333774654859_3197514867463426635_n.jpg)
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Good deal! That looks REALLY nice!
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Thanks! Dave did an awesome job on building that thing wish I was that handy! Im at the nature center now and just saw the queen!
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Beautiful...............
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Really cool! He should take orders!
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Where do the bees exit on the outside?
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Good job! Looks nice.
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The Bees exit through the bottom and through a pvc pipe through the log wall...lets see if this pic works if not I will fix it when I get home...
(https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31.0-8/10353449_255410717980498_4578324092195782514_o.jpg)
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awesome......and wayyyyyy cooool!
:photos:
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The Bees exit through the bottom and through a pvc pipe through the log wall..
Very nice arrangement. The bees will disperse and shouldn't bother anyone walking on the path
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That's a beautiful cabinet. You guys should be very proud.
I have always wondered what keeps an observation hive from overcrowding and swarming? Do you have to change out frames periodically? With 8 frames and a good queen there would be regular "maintenance" wouldn't there?
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Once I had an observation hive set up at school in my biology lab-----when it looked like it was going to demonstrate a swarmig it turned into a display of absconding. :'(
Yep, they require regular maintenance! As nice a tool for learning about bee behavior as it may be, an observation hive is far from providing the bees with the kind of a home they can really enjoy living in. There are a lot of stresses the observation hive places on the family, among them: restricted space for expanding, difficulty in regulating temperatures (heats up too fast in hot weather and cools down too fast when it's cold), over-exposure to light, unnatural organization of combs (brood isn't flanked with side frames of pollen and honey stores), doesn't allow for optimum sized populations etc., etc.
But they are great learning tools. In my early days with bees I used to spend hours watching the ongoings inside my observation hive at home. Much better than watching fish in an aquarium. 8)
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Beautiful hive. I hope the double-wide frames aren't a disappointment. Best of Luck.
Rob....
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I already saw the Queen come out twice yesterday from behind the frames...
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I'm sure she will be coming out as she will need more room then is inside. I just feel sorry for the kids who are as lucky as me. Seems like whenever I went to the zoo, the animals where always sleeping in their little cubby holes :sad: Nothing to see here kids, now move on :laugh:
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Well Thursday and Friday the bees were all on the outside of the frames in full view!
I went by today couldn't go inside they are closed today but the Bees are setting their GPS to Home...
http://youtu.be/FR0UcYSfxpI
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I talked to Dave yesterday and he said he would make more/take orders if anyone is really interested...if so send me a pm and I will get you his contact info...
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How is the OB Hive doing Don? Do you cover it or leave it exposed all the time? Wondering how the light may affect the bees etc...
I will mention availability locally. If he puts up a website for them I will link to it.