Sarah Grew wrote:
>Has anyone got experience with big (huge) observation hives? ....
>Specifically, is it possible to have a self sustaining observation hive.

It is very possible to maintain a large observation hive through all
seasons, indoors or outdoors.  Large observation hives are actually easier
to maintain than smaller ones, since the bees are less stressed by
temperature extremes and lack of room for brood, bees and honey stores.

Photos of several year 'round observation hives are on the web at:
http://home.earthlink.net/~jcaldeira/beekeeping/obs1.htm
The page following it, "Natural Comb Hives",  contains general design
considerations for long-term observation hives.

Other web resources for ideas (in addition to the shameless self-promotion
of my own website above) include:
http://www.uky.edu/Agriculture/Entomology/entfacts/misc/ef016.htm
http://www.gsu.edu/~biojdsx/obshiv.htm


-John

John Caldeira
Dallas, Texas, USA
http://home.earthlink.net/~jcaldeira/beekeeping/