Unsecure chicken perches

[optimistic1bryan]

Folks. I have a number of Dartington (long deep Hives) and a dozen or so Dartington nuc boxes that i use to raise queens and breed bees. I would be very interested in anyones opinion who has experience of using both the dartingtons and the beehaus. I will soon need to make another batch of dartingtons and am considering buying the beehaus instead.

[Olly]

I don't have experience of using Dartingtons (or a Beehaus for that matter!) but I've seen both, and my understanding is that they are more or less the same in design. Obviously you won't be able to mix and match bits, e.g. supers, with your wooden hives. Why not see if you can go and visit a Beehaus near you to see what they look like, or go to one of the country shows where Omlet are exhibiting? You can get the dimensions from the Omlet shop site, but it's never the same as seeing something in the flesh.

 

There are some people posting on here who are using Beehauses, and they'll probably be able to answer more questions about them.

[Guest]

It depends really on what criteria you are using to make your choice. If, as you say another batch , you need to tell us whether it is cost, time, aesthetics, one-upmanship, security, or whatever, which will drive your decision making in a particular direction.

 

If it is cost, and you no longer need to make lots of honey boxes (and the like) there is no contest, surely? Less than a hundred quid for the basic body of a Dartington must win hands down! And that is using virgin materials.

 

Same, if you may wish to fumigate the colony (for eg varroa infestation) without modifying the plastic version.

 

Alternatively, perhaps you can negotiate a good price for a batch of plastic hives, depending on the batch size. It would need to be a very generous discount! But it does depend on this 'batch size', how you may value your time and what cutting facilities you have. Making batches of ten or more would mean a very minimum of time spent cutting, per hive. Ymmv.

 

I have made two Dartingtons and purchased (obviously) one beehaus. I would not buy another.

 

As far as use is concerned, I would expect little difference in suitability for purpose between the wooden and the plastic hive (after several modifications to the plastic version). The operation is virtually identical, the former being marginally easier as coverboards etc can be easily cut in sizes for your particular mode of operation, if need be. Height change (reduction) is a simple affair. I know that National supers will fit my Dartingtons which IMO is far better than those half supers (in my case). Frames can be slid back and forth in the brood with no impediment. If you are queen rearing one can make an even longer version while making a batch.

 

I have only very recently colonised the beehaus, but will report to the beekeeping.co.uk forum my findings, both good and bad, compared with the Dartingtons. I am not expecting any great advantage, but have already noted several short-comings (some of which have been 'fixed').

 

I find my Dartingtons complement my National 14 x 12s and fit my usage quite well. I have found overwintering in a Dartington to present no problems at all. I like them.

 

Regards, RAB

[optimistic1bryan]

many thanks Oliver.

 

That pretty much is as i suspected. i am also running commercials which i inherited and 14 x 12 nationals which are good and mobile. both of which i would be happy to get rid of for Dartington/beehaus.....in the "batch " i am thinking of doing some 15 frame dartingtons that would use 3 honey box supers as the mobile version and indeed a couple of the longer version for queen breeding although i am unsure of thier benefit. you are correct the dartingtons over winter very well. i had one hive over wintered with a colony in each end and 4 nucs on top where the honey boxes normally sit......the shared warmth must of been very useful this winter.

 

bp

[optimistic1bryan]

ps.

 

i have a local carpenter who makes a complete Dartington set with honey boxes etc for about £300 .

 

b