I have 2 of this poly hives and also I have langstroht poly hives from modern beekeeper great quality and bee's love this hives great, fabulous service from Paul and his team. Thank you
Sold ! Very nice review - very comprehensive and full of detail. I've been on the edge of my seat chomping away at the bit so off to look at their website. Bye bye wood. Nice warm poly hives here I come ! (So much easier for those whose DIY skills like me, aren't the best - I had kittens trying to get my first wooden hive square when I first did my assembly). Many thanks.
We can get those from blue sky supply here in the states ...kit with 2 deeps and feeder like 100.00 bucks not that much more than wood .. Not sure which would last longer
Hey Lawrence, good review. I have been using these for about 6 years now and they are I would say they best on the market. Yes they do have a few down falls but all hives do. 1: The feeder can only fit on two sides (the sides that the runners are on) other wise the bees can get to the food. ;-) 2: The plastic part in the feeder, I have had issues with bees dying and a lot. My advise is to put them in the bin and put some straw into the feeder that way NO died bees. 3: You have to lift the brood box the fit the entrance reducer. This is ok if you are not moving your bees about, otherwise get foam for this. 4: be carful of the queen excluder, make sure it is in place correctly before adding a super as it can move allowing the queen to enter the supers. ;-) 5: Castellations can be added if needed, you just have to cut one end to get a 10 frame one to fit, then just screw them into place. Hope this helps.
Hi Graham. Great tips there! Especially the feeder orientation. I will have to get these marked up so I dont forget which way around they go! Foam bungs all the way. Make things a lot easier. I think they are a really nice design all around. Cant wait to get them stocked full of some bees. Has the snow melted up there yet?
@@BlackMountainHoney Hey No problem anytime, you dont really need to mark them up, if you the handle part of the feeder to the sides that the runner are on you will be ok ;-). Also if your going to paint them I use masonry paint first coat then a second coat with water based gloss, they last for years doing that. ;-) Yep all snow gone now, been adding pollen patties to get ready for the breeding season as have loads of orders for queens. www.buckfastqueens.co.uk and `DONT bang the feeder or lids of the hive LOL :-)
I got the langstroth version and there bottom bee space, the top feeder crushes bees and you can’t turn over the feeder in winter fondant feeding as the roof don’t work,think honey paw is better
I need to go other way round and put the poly brood box on the national brood box to transfer the colony (it is a national 14x12 so can't just swap the frames). What should I look for? Would it work do you think? Thanks
I've got one - will never buy another one. The entrance doesn't fit properly, the crown board is jut odd, crap plastic QE...just no. I have another poly that's so much better
I have few and I'm personally happy with them. I did have problem with entrance as it was bent a bit and it wouldn't stay in place, but when i straightened it it went with no problem. I disagree about the crown board. I love it and everyone who comes to look at the bees. You can see through and show what are they doing. What other brand did you go to?