Apis MelliferaLangstroth Warre Hybrid
I used the basic design of the Lanstroth hive and ideas form the Abbe Warre hive and merged them into a hybrid hive design. Some experienced beekeepers describe success over wintering their colonies in smaller nucs compared to full size Langstroth hives and the knowledge that Russian bees winter in much smaller clusters than other breeds, I thought this smaller more efficient design might be worth trying, especially with Russian bees.
First the size is reduced to an 8 frame super. The 16 1/4 Langstroth dimension is reduced by 2 X (1 3/8) equals 2 3/4 inches for the removal of 2 Frames. Giving 16 1/4 minus 2 3/4 equals 13 1/2 inches. The super is designed as a square instead of a rectangle, allowing for more flexibility as described in the Warre design. The Langstoth 19 7/8 inch length supers are shortened to 13 1/2 inches. The frames can be made from modifying available Dadant frames or the design can be used in the traditional Warre design without structured frames.
The supers can be made in various depths just as the Langstroth supers are 9 5/8, 6 5/8 inches and etc also taking advantage of existing frames and foundation to be modified.
My initial estimates appear to suggest you can get the use of 1 1/2 frames of foundation (wax or plastic) from one sheet of traditional foundation with this reduction in size. I would not believe that the seam going down the middle of the foundation (plastic or wax) should make much difference when the foundation is drawn out.
Posted on May 20, 2009