Recent content by Adam Fletcher

On a slightly different track... who would you go to for am AMM nuc? I'm in Suffolk and would like as local as possible but if I have to go further I'm happy to travel to collect. Thank you

What size hives are you using? From what I've read some of the reasons for larger frame counts is to stop swarming. I wonder if the average temperature affects swarming compared with frame count (I am assuming Scotland is on average cooler compared to Spain)

I think some of the reason they haven't got a lot of traction in the UK is the national hive - standardised and promoted by the government since the 1920s, my mother in law was a Ministry of Agriculture beekeeper and if I mention anything that's not a national or very similar it's not healthy...

Can you move a 12/14 frame hive single handed? It looks like you might need a forklift for some if the 25+ frame hives....

I have seen spinners for Layens frames and foundation sheets, although the thought of shipping a layens extractor from abroad is enough to make me wince (I also don't think I have the knowledge to build one that would be good safe).

It's also interesting to see the variations used in colder climates in Russia, the horizontal hive seems to be adaptable to almost any climate.

Very true, I was just trying to compare like with like, I found some compkete Layens (12 frames I think) shipped from Spain at £130.

But a complete, assembled national hive from the same website is over £500... https://www.thorne.co.uk/hives/layens?gclid=CjwKCAjwlJimBhAsEiwA1hrp5nXALCfnxQN7iNa-AbXMkoLWFKce9lXMpWzNEN9CYVbu5JPVv_YBlhoC6XEQAvD_BwE The frames are slightly longer and slightly narrower than a standard Layens...

I can answer c without having to dive back into books to remind myself... Hives are available from here https://www.thorne.co.uk/hives/layens?gclid=CjwKCAjwlJimBhAsEiwA1hrp5nXALCfnxQN7iNa-AbXMkoLWFKce9lXMpWzNEN9CYVbu5JPVv_YBlhoC6XEQAvD_BwE

Hi Ed, I've just sent you a direct message. Adam

Hi Ed, I'm trying to learn as much as possible before I start keeping bees next year, I like the idea of the layens hives but would like to have a look at some before I jump in. Adam

Is there anyone using De Layens hives in Suffolk (UK) or north Essex that would be willing for me to come and have a look please? Thank you.

Hi Malcolm, are you still in South Suffolk?

While a good thought, I went to an open apairy meet local to where I was at the time and while there asked about horizontal hives - the response was "we have one over there but some of our members won't have anything to do with that rubbish". Not the most welcoming response to wanting to find...

I had a little time with the local club before I moved, we are now near Woodbridge in Suffolk