Mixing poly and wooden hive parts

[Levitt53]

Hi, can I use the feeder that came with a poly national hive on top of a wooden brood box with the poly roof on top? Just a theoretical question. I've got a poly hive with wooden supers so wondered just how interchangeable all this is or do I need to have a wooden feeder in my kit.

 

[birdsandbees]

most manufacturers say that wooden and Poly components are compatible, if both at National size and if they fit together well then why not.

 

[domino]

Poly boxes seem compatibility with woodern boxes just not other vendors poly boxes.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

depends on the 'footprint'. ten frame poly nucs have the same outside dimensions as wooden nationals. eleven frame polys are bigger - doesn't really matter if you're using the poly roof as well

 

[Levitt53]

depends on the 'footprint'. ten frame poly nucs have the same outside dimensions as wooden nationals. eleven frame polys are bigger - doesn't really matter if you're using the poly roof as well

Yes the poly hive is definitely bigger than the nation wooden one. I had the poly roof on top of a wooden super but changed it for a wooden one as it seemed to be gappy. I wondered if the poly feeder would be gappy as well but I guess unless I could see a gap then there wouldn't be any problem. With only two hives I don't want to buy another feeder unless necessary.

 

[Poly Hive]

I think 10fr poly nuc should read 10 frame poly brood box.

If you have decent poly kit then it should be compatible with timber National. It is a complete shambles that some makers have made in muddling up an already very muddled world of hives. Shame on them.

PH

 

[pargyle]

Only 'problem' I find is with timber supers on Paynes Poly hives is that, although the internal dimensions are the same, the thinner walls of timber supers create a 'step' at the junction between the timber super and the poly brood box - I solve this by having 25mm celotex/kingspan 'mufflers' around the timber supers - also keeps the heat in as well as covering the 'step'.

Probably just me worrying about something that does not make a lot of difference but keeping the heat in is important from my viewpoint - not sure the bees care ?

 

[Erichalfbee]

solve this by having 25mm celotex/kingspan 'mufflers' around the timber supers - also keeps the heat in as well as covering the 'step'.

Pictures? Pretty please

 

[Erichalfbee]

solve this by having 25mm celotex/kingspan 'mufflers' around the timber supers - also keeps the heat in as well as covering the 'step'.

Pictures? Pretty please
PS your hive stand is in position. It awaits bees in the apiary. I have put a Swienty on the Paynes floor though

 

[pargyle]

Pictures? Pretty please
PS your hive stand is in position. It awaits bees in the apiary. I have put a Swienty on the Paynes floor though

He he ... Paynes won't mind ... and I certainly don't - made two more at the weekend and then painted two more Paynes boxes (one donated by a very kind member moving out of 14 x 12) and 'er indoors believed me when I said 'This old hive.... had it ages ... ' I think there may have been the slight sound of a huff ...

I'll take some photos of the 'muff' .. timber supers not in use yet as Paynes inadvertently delivered five new supers as packing materials for the two entrance blocks I bought ...

 

[user 6228]

Putting wooden supers or roof on poly brood lowers the overall thermal performance down to that of a fully wooden hive. Even Wooden floor elements degrade the performance of a poly hive.
invest in poly parts that fit together closely with generous mating surfaces

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Just noticed maismores will be selling polynuc floors ....just wondering if they will fit Payne's BB as I have a couple spare and will be useful