A few of the many various hive configurations to be had to beekeepers, let me introduce you to the Layens Hive. With origins relationship again to the past due 19th century, French beekeeper, Georges de Layens yearned to broaden a hive that used to be extra in unity with the bees. In recent times, the Layens Hive has skilled a resurgence in recognition amongst beekeepers international.
Advocates for the Layens Hive are attracted to its sensible benefits and the way this form of beehive aligns with sustainable and herbal beekeeping. But, no hive is “easiest” – you must to find what’s right for you.
Assessment of the Layens Hive Design
One of the crucial notable details concerning the Layens hive is that this can be a horizontal beehive. It’s normally a unmarried lengthy field.
This differs from the business same old Langstroth hive that is composed of vertically stacked bins. Two ½” top horizontal slits function openings to the Layens Hive– they is also on one lengthy aspect or one on every finish.
Lately’s Layens hive holds 20 huge frames (13” x 16” deep). The hive could have kind of frames (12-30+) relying at the honey float within the areas the place they’re used.
A forged backside board protects the hive from drafts and pests and predators. Some beekeepers upload sections of screened bottoms to help in hive air flow.
A removeable roof protects the internal from climate and helps to keep the colony secure and dry.
When built correctly, the Layens hive has thick partitions. This mixed with the horizontal orientation, lend a hand keep an eye on temperature and humidity ranges throughout the hive, making sure the colony’s convenience and survival.
Benefits
The speculation is this hive design is extra in song with the animal instincts of honey bees. Therefore, the function of the Layens hive is to permit the bees to exist in an extra herbal setting with minimum beekeeper intervention. There are some plain benefits to the program.
- enhanced insulation homes
- better spans of comb construction
- fewer disturbances to the colony (minimum inspections)
Disadvantages
But no hive taste is the very best are compatible for each and every beekeeper or location. There are evident disadvantages to the use of the Layens hive.
- problem find mentors who use the similar hive to your space
- hives are huge and heavy – tough to transport
- maximum honey extractors can’t deal with the huge frames
- including a field for added house isn’t possible
Not unusual Demanding situations and Answers
Listed here are one of the crucial commonplace demanding situations of this hive design.
- cross-combing
- overwintering in excessive climates
- air flow
Pass-combing happens when bees construct comb throughout more than one bars. This is a little more concerned than additional burr comb. Pass comb makes hive inspections tough. Observe colonies throughout comb development and make certain that the bars are calmly spaced.
Even if they supply extra insulation than same old hives. Layens hives is usually a problem in spaces with lengthy, harsh winters. Meals is saved alongside a horizontal trail as a substitute of at once overhead the cluster.
If the bees don’t transfer around the frames to meals retail outlets, they will die throughout chilly climate. Believe the use of sugar muffins for bees or fondant at the best bars.
Deficient beehive air flow is the demise of any colony. Make certain that your Layens hive has just right air flow – a few air flow holes within the hive frame or roof is also enough. Those must be periodically wiped clean to forestall obstruction.
Comparisons to Different Hive Types
Control of a Layens hive is very similar to different hive kinds in some respects. Whilst the speculation of much less interference is admirable, this doesn’t imply that you’ll be able to be utterly fingers off. You continue to want to observe colony prerequisites and well being.
To raised perceive what makes the Layens hive other from different standard hive designs – shall we examine it to the 2 hottest – the Langstroth hive and a normal Most sensible Bar Hive. I can speak about the most important variations in design and extra importantly control.
Layens Hive vs Langstroth Hive
Design
Layens hive: The Layens Hive includes a horizontal structure in some areas – simplest best bars are used and the bees construct herbal comb. Different beekeepers do use body and conceivable basis.
However, normally the brush space has better dimensions than the Langstroth Hive, that facilitate brood rearing and honey garage.
Langstroth hive: The Langstroth Hive has a vertical design of stacked oblong bins with detachable frames that hold vertically. This modular design permits for simple enlargement and manipulation of hive elements.
Control
Layens hive: Control of the Layens hive has an emphasis on minimum intervention and herbal beekeeping practices. The horizontal structure and bigger comb space reduces the desire for common inspections and body manipulation.
Langstroth hive: Langstroth hives be offering better flexibility and scalability in the case of hive control, with standardized body sizes that permit environment friendly honey extraction and colony enlargement.
On the other hand, the vertical configuration of this hive calls for extra heavy lifting. And the need to cope with problems equivalent to use of a queen excluder (or now not) and control of the bee brood bins.
Layens Hive vs Most sensible Bar Hive
Building and Comb Control
Layens Hive: There are a few changed plans for Layens hives in several portions of the arena. Usually, they function a forged hive frame with both frameless bars that information herbal comb development or huge frames that can be utilized with basis. The horizontal orientation and steady comb strips permit bees to construct better spaces of comb
Most sensible Bar Hive: Most sensible Bar hives additionally include a unmarried horizontal field. They use sloped bars as guides for comb construction. Because the bees assemble comb downward from every bar cautious control is needed to forestall move comb from forming.
Accessibility
Layens Hive: One of the vital easiest options of the Layens hive design is the straightforward accessibility for the beekeeper. The horizontal structure permits simple manipulation of comb strips without a heavy lifting. Usually, the upkeep necessities are minimum because of fewer elements to regulate.
Most sensible Bar Hive: Most sensible-Bar Hives require cautious control of comb alignment and spacing to forestall problems equivalent to comb cave in or attachment to neighboring bars or the perimeters of the field. That is very true at first and is also tough for newbie or starting beekeepers to regulate.
FAQs
The Layens hive design is a protracted horizontal hive that is composed of 1 field that holds 13-20 huge frames (13” x 16” deep on reasonable).
The Layens hive is a horizontal beehive with better frames than a normal Langstroth hive. This provides the queen more space to put in a bigger space of comb floor.
In some areas, beekeeper don’t use frames or basis throughout the Layens hive – permitting the bees to construct herbal comb. On the other hand, some beekeepers do use huge wooden frames with wax basis.
Harvesting honey from a Layens Hive normally comes to strategies equivalent to crush-and-strain or comb chopping.
A Ultimate Phrase
The theory of much less interference is admirable. On the other hand, whether or not or now not the Layens Hive design is best for you depends upon many elements. In the event you don’t seem to be analyzing the colony as incessantly – will you omit primary issues?
There is not any best beehive. If you select some of the much less standard choices (just like the Drift Hive) or this design by means of our favourite French botanist – discover a give a boost to crew of beekeepers to your area that will help you.