Optimal Beehive
I have decided to describe the Optimal hive to you. They can be insulated or non insulated. Mine is the later.
Floor, brood box, super, frames, feeder, lid. Available measurements are 42×27,5 cm, 42x30cm, 42x17cm. Some people have a combination, so they will end up with a higher box for the brood and smaller one for supers.
My hive has a basic floor, with mesh and a choice of ventilation. Its a pull out board which if I turn it around creates a space for the air to circulate or the other way round keeps the air from circulating.
Brood and super boxes are the same dimensions 42×17 cm, they take 11 frames each. These are wired and fixed with wax foundations.
I use a top feeder, divided into 4 parts, 2 large departments, for the syrup, 2 small ones for the bees to feed. It has 4 different glass panels which allow me to watch the bees feeding.
The metal lid has been insulated with a thick polystyrene.
Hope this helps.
