Best Hives

[RodBromiley]

Hi, new and looking for help.
What hives really are best ?
If I go for Nationals should I go for larger brood boxes
Top or bottom bee space ?
Or do I go for Langstroths ?
I hate buying the wrong kit as I end up then buying twice

 

[Ely]

It is all a matter of personal preference I'm afraid. Have a good research on the different methods of keeping bees and then make an informed decision.

As an afterthought, be sure to check out a the one size box style of beekeeping. Can be done with or without an excluder. I had already bought my hives before I discovered that method and now I wish I had started that way to begin with.

 

[theeggman]

We opted for 14x12 to save the brood + half or double brood issues.
We started with cedar but have moved to P's poly, the bees seem to do well in them, we swear by them and frequently at them. The poly options are a lot cheaper and when your colonies grow like topsy it all helps. We have brood on the OUTSIDE of the frame against the hive wall, the Q uses all of the box.

Bottom bee space as that's how the P's hive are set up.

Others will be along with other views for you to ponder shortly.

to the forum.

Tim.

P.S. We use only framed QXs and cover boards to prevent them getting propped to the frames, looks odd in the stack but works.

 

[itma]

It is all a matter of personal preference I'm afraid. Have a good research on the different methods of keeping bees and then make an informed decision.

Yes. Ask around at your association meetings and go and visit to see and handle any hive type that is strongly advocated.
Also consider how you may be obtaining your bees. What frames would they be supplied on?

Its not too hard to change hive format (should you wish to) once you become aware of what your preferences are. And second-hand hives, without odd 'improvements', can be sold for a large proportion of their new price.

 

[itma]

Oh, and start by having a look at the sticky post in this section, including the section on hive types http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=14770

 

[madasafish]

I have found many beekeepers (note I say "many" and not "all") are firmly based in the past so asking your local association may end up with a consensus based on never having done anything different.

(At least that was my experience until 2 years ago when our Association got some poly hives).

Base on my experience, if you want the best for your bees - as opposed to a garden ornament which looks nice, a poly hive is great. Far better to overwinter with.

Of course, many southern based beekeepers have no idea of prolonged cold winter and think insulation is irrelevant.

Poly hives are lighter and cheaper - and better for bees. They don't look so good as a cedar hive - when new.

I run Langstroths on jumbo brood .. and top bar hives..

 

[Cazza]

Also take into account the weight of a full brood chamber. Wooden national is as heavy as I can go. Poly nationals are slightly lighter and would be my choice if starting again.
Cazza

 

[Erichalfbee]

Started with standard Nationals in cedar but quickly moved to 14 x 12 then added poly. Now run 2 wooden and 2 poly (double that number due to ASs etc but will be back to the 4 in the autumn.
I run my wooden hives and my Paynes boxes with top space having made modifications.
M o r d e r n Beekeeping have top space Nationals but the set up is not ideal and they don't do a 14 x 12.
With hindsight I would have started with Poly Langstroth.

 

[itma]

I have found many beekeepers (note I say "many" and not "all") are firmly based in the past so asking your local association may end up with a consensus based on never having done anything different.
…

Yes, but that ain't quite what I was suggesting.

At your association, if you come across any enthusiast for (lets say) poly Langstroths, ask him to let you visit and experience what working with those hives is like.

Experience the difference between long and short lug hives, top and bottom beespace, square or rectangular hives, big frames, multi-brood with smaller frames, the non-standardness required for poly and the ways different manufacturers have chosen to cope with it.

I'm saying don't take other people's word for what is "best" for you.
Ask them to show you what they like (and explain why), and help you find out what you prefer.
Don't go buying something you haven't experienced for yourself.

 

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I was lucky enough to have a go at inspecting nationals, 14x12s and commercials before making my choice, I went with a national as I can lift the component parts. My daughter did mention poly hives to our mentor(a chap of advancing years) and he politely (whilst inwardly swearing) said no don't do it.... She said I won't ask about the Beehaus then he might explode!

Seriously try and get on a 'bee safari' that way you get to see all different set ups and types of hive.our local association does one a year.

 

[RodBromiley]

I was sorta a little embarrassed about asking a newb question, you guys are really helpful and I take on board all of your comments. I will investigate Poly Hives, like many of you I prefer the look of wood but it's all about results at the end of the day isn't it.
I will continue to read up and interrogate the guys at the local club before spending a single penny. I have already learnt quite a bit from these comments. You guys are really great. Thank you so much

 

[ratcatcher]

just to throw you more, google tim rowe and rose hives

 

[Swarm]

Started with cedar nationals, added some paynes poly's, all bottom bee space. Tried swienty poly this year, top bee space and will gradually switch to this format. I only buy poly brood chambers, you can get wooden supers for less than poly.

 

[madasafish]

Read up about top and bottom beespace.
I did: and decided top was the way to go.

 

[drex]

I played with several hives at the association. The logical way forward would have been commercial BB (same space as 14x12)and national supers. However I do not like the short lugs, so ended up all national. This was good as my first bees came on national frames. I find 14x 12 to big and ungainly to hand. At least single brood, double brood and brood and half give me the flexibility to go along with my bees.

 

[RodBromiley]

At first I sort of thought " modern" as in Poly would have had you guys in fits laughing at me but it seems most if not all of you would consider them as part or complete hives ?
I really like the look of wooden hives but now feeling that I need to look at Poly and investigate " one size " Rose bee too. So glad you guys are opening my mind, this could save me £££ssss, what a great forum this is. Thank You

 

[BeeJayBee]

Of course, many southern based beekeepers have no idea of prolonged cold winter and think insulation is irrelevant.

Ahem! We do get snow down here too, you know, and rain - sometimes we get lots and lots of it! We also get hot weather, and good insulation helps stop our bees from being cooked by heat radiating from hot metal roofs!

At first I sort of thought " modern" as in Poly would have had you guys in fits laughing at me but it seems most if not all of you would consider them as part or complete hives ?
I really like the look of wooden hives but now feeling that I need to look at Poly and investigate " one size " Rose bee too. So glad you guys are opening my mind, this could save me £££ssss, what a great forum this is. Thank You

I use poly hives, as do a good few others and for various reasons - they tend to be cheaper than cedar, help maintain even temperatures all year round which means the bees probably use less food during the winter etc etc. But plenty of beekeepers prefer cedar, or make their own hives from softwood, ply or even from reticel. There's no right or wrong, as long as you respect beespace, keep your bees safe, warm, dry and healthy.

Some use the medium Langstroth brood box as a one-size-box system. Check out ITLD's albums http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/album.php?u=4812

 

[pargyle]

Ahem! We do get snow down here too, you know, and rain - sometimes we get lots and lots of it! We also get hot weather, and good insulation helps stop our bees from being cooked by heat radiating from hot metal roofs!

I use poly hives, as do a good few others and for various reasons - they tend to be cheaper than cedar, help maintain even temperatures all year round which means the bees probably use less food during the winter etc etc. But plenty of beekeepers prefer cedar, or make their own hives from softwood, ply or even from reticel. There's no right or wrong, as long as you respect beespace, keep your bees safe, warm, dry and healthy.

Some use the medium Langstroth brood box as a one-size-box system. Check out ITLD's albums http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/album.php?u=4812

+1 ... I have a 14 x 12 Long deep hive which is super to manage in many ways, made it myself and included loads of insulation. Downside - very heavy but I don't ever move it. But I also now have a Paynes Poly Hive .. which was an emergency purchase and I am growing to love it ... the bees do as well. Just ordered a poly Nuc from them and another 14 x 12 hive as I've a colony outgrowing a timber (home made) insulated Nuc ... I like making my own kit and the cost is far less than buying new from the suppliers but would I make my own hive if I was a new beekeeper starting from scratch ... probably not. Though you could have a look at DerekM's posts on his Kingspan hives .... I have one of those in the making.

 

[REDWOOD]

I run 14x12, only down side they store more honey in them, up side bigger brood nest and you don't need to feed so much in the winter

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Hi, new and looking for help.
What hives really are best ?
If I go for Nationals should I go for larger brood boxes
Top or bottom bee space ?
Or do I go for Langstroths ?
I hate buying the wrong kit as I end up then buying twice

I first handled bees in National brood boxes (DN4) frames but having talked to what I consider good beekeepers I opted to use 14 x 12 when I bought my first kit. I now have 6 colonies on 14 x 12 plus I handle standard national colonies at the association apiary and look after a friends hive on National. To be frank I don't know anyone in my vicinity or association area who doesn't use national or 14 x 12 so there seems little point in departing from the norm and limiting potential "borrows" or purchases. It would simply make life unnecessarily difficult to be "odd".
I find nothing wrong with either size but there is a real feeling of satisfaction in lifting out a full frame of 14 x 12 brood or stores.