Question on building a Ob Hive.

[Yankee11]

I am wanting to build a Observation hive inside of our new Honey House building. My plan is to build it on the wall between two of the wall studs. Kinda like a hive in a wall.

What I am wondering is the overall size. I am thinking 2 frames thick and maybe 3 rows of deep frames (for a total of 6 deeps) the two rows of mediums above the deeps (total of 4 mediums)

Think this would be big enough? or should I go 3 frames thick. That would be 9 deeps and 6 mediums.

That may be to tall. It would be like stacking 3 deeps and 2 mediums. So how maybe 3 frames thick and 2 deep high and 2 medium. That would be 6 deeps and 6 mediums. That should be plenty of room.

[Perry]

Oh boy you're hurtin me with this stuff Yankee11.  The good thing about your success is that it will make it easier for me to follow.
Are you considering a year round ob hive, or just one you could stock in the spring and hive in the fall?
I have seen this variation be successful for 5 years running year round, but it does require some maintenance. The queen is confined to a single deep and shallow frame for brood rearing.

[robo]

There are mixed feelings on doubling up frames in an observation hive.   I have never been happy with it because the queen and all the "cool" stuff always happens out of sight.  Others will argue that it is not an issue.   If you are the type of person I am (whatever checkout line you get in immediately stops) I would recommend not doubling or you too will be disappointed.   My preferred OB hive is 5 deep frames that way everything is always visible when you want to show a guest.   Nothing worse than being excited to show off an observation hive and you end up telling them "trust me"  it's in the middle where you can't see.   

This is the same size as a nuc and will need some maintenance if they get too over crowed.   I find that a 5 frame OB hive is good use for those under performing queens that you are going to dispatch.   

[Perry]

I'm going to agree with Robo on this one, that's what I like about Henry's design, even though it is unconventional. You at least want that queen out where she can be seen.

[Yankee11]

Yep. good idea there.

So five single deep frames stacked. It would be tall but thin. I also thought about a cover over the class to easily remove for viewing to keep out the light. I guess I would need to maintain bee space between the glass and the frame to keep them from wanting to build on the glass.

Also if I can work out the entrance  tube I am thinking about mounting it with hinges on one side. It could sit flush between the 2 wall joists then we
could swing it out to look at both side if we wanted. Have to see if I can get a tube that will flex and not pinch.

[Perry]

Maybe have the entrance at the bottom of one end (coming up through the bottom), and have a swivel elbow that way there would be no possible way of kinking.

[Yankee11]

So, maybe I can make the bottom hinge the entrance. Like a hollow pipe and have it fit into a hole in bottom corner of hive.

Now ya got me thinkin.

[LazyBkpr]

  The problem is managing it with so few frames..  I agree completely that most of the good stuff happens out of site if you double up the frames..  But, I have to say, I have seen the queen half a dozen times, and am VERY MUCH enjoying my OB hive..

   http://outyard.weebly.com/observation-hive.html

[Yankee11]

OK Lazy. That is pretty dang cool.

That would be easy to do on this building also. Just cut the hole out of the side and frame it in.

Thanks for sharing.