At 09:37 AM 8/22/96 -0700, you wrote:
>Does anyone have plans for constructing an observation hive?
>I would think an observation hive would be fairly easy to build,
>but am unsure about how much ventilation to provide, and
>unsure about a few other practical considerations.  Is there a
>FAQ somewhere about such hives?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Tim
>
>Timothy W. Kelsey                              Dept of Agricultural
>Economics
>[log in to unmask]                                      & Rural
>Sociology
>(814) 865-9542                                          Penn State
>University
>
  I have no plans but let me describe a hive that we had build a few years
ago and which turned out to be very successful.
 
I was 4 frames high but I do not remember if an exluded was placed between
the frames - I think not, the Queen was free to roam over all 4 frames.
 
The frames were arranged vertically so all comb was visible.
 
The hive was anchored top and bottom so that it could swivel 360 degrees.
 
The entrance was through a 2 inch pipe on the bottom.  The bees travelled
down through the swivel then horizontally to the outside.
 
There was a double slide in the bottom so that the entrance could be closed
both to the hive and to the outside in order to remove the hive for maintenance.
 
Both sides were glass.
 
To get into the hive, it was removed from the bulding, placed on it's side
and the glass removed.  Now there was access to everything so bee and frame
maintenance was easy.  Simply close up the hive and take it back into the
building.
 
Good luck
Eric Abell
Gibbons, Alberta Canada
(403) 998 3143
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