Ice chest hive progress

[Yankee11]

Coming along nicely.

May1st



June 24

[CpnObvious]

That's so cool!  It will be neat to see how they winter!

Did you turn the whole thing up-side-down to take the pictures?

[Yankee11]

yes, the ice chest sits upside down on the lid.

[tbonekel]

It's looks like there may be 3 entrances and or ventilation openings. Is that right?

[apisbees]

Do you have more ice chests that size? cut the bottom open and under stack so you have a insulated Warre hive. Or set it on top of a Langstroth and as the bees back fill they will move the queen amd brood down into the super. I don't thing it will get strong enough this year to do that but if is survives the winter it will next year

[CpnObvious]

Do you have your hives inspected? Am I correct in saying that because the comb isn't removable that an inspector could give you a hard time? If so, what will your response be?

[Yankee11]

I am going to let them overwinter in the ice chest and then in the spring set them on top of a lang. and try to get them to move out. I want to cover the opening with plexiglass for observation.

I have already inspections done this year and will be attempting to move them out next spring when inspector comes. So I think he will be ok with it since I am working on moving them out.

I want to see how they do without my help.

[apisbees]

Even with warre hive dew to the fact that the new comb is added to the bottom and the old comb which is at the oldest was drawn in the last year is removed with the honey harvest.

[Bamabww]

Very interesting. Thanks for the update and good luck.