Hive direction

[Finally Home]

Two questions:

1. What direction do you face the entrance of your hives and why. 

2. Why would you not face them in a certain direction?

[iddee]

East, south, or in between so the sun hits the entrance earlier and they fly sooner.

Back of hive toward prevailing winds. Here, that is north, west, or in between.

[Perry]

Iddee answered it bang on!

[tecumseh]

of course on a 4 way pallet facing them all in any one particular direction is impossible.

studies from long long ago suggested that with northern faced entrances there was an increased possibility of nosema (in those day there was only nosema apis but I would guess in the current scheme of thing nosema c. would also qualify).

[LazyBkpr]

I do just as Iddee posted..   The Good Reverend wrote about the benefits of facing hives in each direction, but as stated, I like to keep my entrances away from the prevailing winds. I have 4 hives that face east, one that faces south, and most of the rest all face South east.  the wind in winter whips around them and drifts snow in across the entrances, even on the ones with the pines directly behind them. if they faced the other direction that snow would get DRIVEN into the entrances.
   

[G3farms]

Same as stated above.

[Walt B]

Yes, mine face southeast.

Walt

[Finally Home]

Thanks everyone.  All mine do face mostly east (ESE).  I do appreciate all the input 

[efmesch]

When you line up your hives as advised, keep in mind that you want them slightly sloped with the back of the hive higher than the entrance.  That  helps water drain from the inside of the hive (rain, condensation) and makes it a bit easier for the bees to keep the floor clean and tidy.

[Finally Home]

I had been told that and have mine like you mentioned.  I'm sure you posting that will help others as well. 
Thanks ef