What sort of hives do you have?

[Mrs Dobby]

Thought it may be useful to share what types of hives we all have, the reasons why we use that type, what we like about them and any problems we;ve encountered?

[Mrs Dobby]

We have 2 types of hive, our first 4 hives were bought 2nd hand, and were Smiths, they are similar in size to a National (using the same brood and super frames and foundation), but have shorter top bar lugs and the bee space is at the top instead of at the bottom like on a National Hive.

In our 2nd year we bought 4 National Hives (between the 4 of us) as most people locally use Nationals, and its easier to provide a Nuc to folks if its on the same frames as they use.

We keep 1 of each hive as a spare, so we can use it for a Nuc or to do a shook swarm to control swarming and allow us to clean / sterilize the previously used boxes.

In addition we've got 6 homemade Nuc boxes (with a further 6 in production) and 1 polystyrene nuc box we bought whilst on offer!

[CaroltheCarrot]

I have a National, handmade by a local beekeeper, they are not the prettiest of hives but as Mrs D says they are the most practical and easier to get nucs for.

[Headfry]

I have two Thornes Nationals.
As they are on the plot I want hives that do not stand out - they just look like old wooden boxes.

I had two white WBC'c years ago and beautiful they were too- perfect in the cottage garden, and also a home made jobby, well loved and much adapted by previous ancient owner - utter nightmare to assemble as part A would only fit on top of part C but C would not fit under part D and if the wind was in the east and the moon was rising then nothing at all would fit...ever!!!!! this is really not good for a new bee keeper- with thousands of bees wondering why 'home' did not look the same as they had left it!!!

My motto - if new to bee keeping - get the best you can afford! unless you are up for a steep learning curve and a whole lot of fun

[BigShot]

Top Bars... like those built and advocated by Phil Chandler of Barefoot Beekeeper fame.

I'm not fond of nationals (and other Langstroth derived hives) for a few reasons, the main two being expense and the fact that you completely open the whole hive every inspection (=angry bees) whereas the top bars in a Kenyan/Chandler hive mean you only open the specific bit you're checking/robbing and otherwise leave the nest well alone... and all for as close to "free" as you can get without being given hives for free.

My motto - if new to beekeeping - get something dirt cheap and simple with no need for heavy lifting at all!

But then, I've always been a contrary sort.

[bigal123_123]

i have 4 national hives built by myself out of wpbp ply