Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[Che Guebuddha]

Our member biodlarn will start testing with hives which have a periscope and a deep litter floor as suggested on this forum.
At the moment he keeps bees in the original Chandler TBH design (central entrance with two follower boards).

I like this design of his hence me posting it here;


Back of the hive with the observation window closed and two side periscopes for making splits, also with closed doors.


front of the hive is the main central entrance with 3 top holes and the periscope box without a landing board. The periscope box can be screwed off. The deep floor box is under the periscope in this image.


shot from above without the deep floor, main entrance to the right and observation window to the left. His hives are 150cm long


Observation window


the side periscopes can be opened for inspection if needed

[GarlyDog]

Nice work.

[trekmate]

Looking good! Great to see the different ideas coming together in one hive.

Is the intention to keep insulation between the observation window and the window cover? If not that might be a source of heat loss and condensation.

[Che Guebuddha]

Im sure he will insulate that part and above the top bars. I have a similar hive and I plan to stuff it with raw wool

[biobee]

Lovely piece of work!

My one slight concern is that the hole leading into the hive body being right at the top may cause saturated air to create condensation in the periscope under certain conditions, which may cause some problems to walking bees. But I may be wrong.

In any case, it's great to see innovations and experiments happening.

[Che Guebuddha]

Phil, do you think there is a possibility of ice formation in the periscope during cold winter?

[biobee]

That had not occurred to me. I suppose it is possible, although warm air leakage ought to prevent it - but the condensate could freeze when it meets sub-zero air. The only danger to bees would be a total blockage that sealed them in, but I think that is unlikely.

[chkin11]

How is this hive working? I really like the design and features, excellent wood work also.

[csturgess]

We are about to alter one of our TBHs that has not been occupied in order to incorporate the eco floor and are wondering about adding the periscope entrance while we are at it. Has anyone used it so far and if so has it been a success? If it hasn't worked what were the problems with it? Does it need a landing platform like the plain circular entrances?
Thanks