Hive frames - sizes for different types
Frame sizes for hives, as well as their shape and basic dimensions have a strong impact on the life of bees in the nest, as well as the process of extracting honey by beekeepers.
Not so long ago, people in search of honey with the help of smoke smoked bees from their homes to, to take from them what was obtained during the medical collection.
But over time, a more humane way was found - domestication and breeding of bees at home. For this, naturally, began to make hives and the main parts of beehives - frames.
Affected by the size of the frame?
Despite the seeming simplicity of design: total 4 wooden slats, beehive frames are an important part of the whole house, the manufacture of which must be approached with all seriousness.
From the right size, as well as the quality of materials will depend not only on ease of maintenance, replacement, pumping honey, but also the productivity of insects. If you make a mistake in the measurements, then your frame will be unsuitable for the hive.
History of the development of the size of the frame structure
Petro Prokopovich
When beekeeping was born, the question arose, what the hive frame should look like and what dimensions it should have. The first idea of unification of the sizes was expressed almost at once, as soon as P. AND. Prokopovich invented the frame hive.
But, despite the shift, implemented this theory was only in 1918 year, when the Congress of Beekeepers of the USSR took place in Kyiv.
V. YU. Szymanski
V. YU. Szymanski, known beekeeper in the current post-Soviet space, at this meeting he expressed his opinion, that to reduce the cost of materials and consumables, as well as simplifying the life and work of beekeepers, certain standards should be followed when making hive frames. As on an industrial scale, and in self-manufacturing.
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He also claimed, that this kind of progress in beekeeping can be beneficial, as will summarize the world practice of beekeeping.
Despite the fact, that a lot of time has passed since the congress, frames for hives are almost the same size, which were approved at the congress of beekeepers.
In the same 1918 year, the famous congress adopted four parameters of the framework, which are widely used today:
- behind the Dadan-Blatt type (43,5 on 30 cm);
- Langstrota-Ruta (43,5 on 23 cm);
- shop on half frame (in height is only half of the total size, that is 43,5 on 14,5 cm);
- Ukrainian frame (the same Dadana-Blatt, only in inverted form).
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Frame dimensions
The above dimensions of the frame remain almost unchanged 100 years, regardless, they are hand-made or on industrial equipment.
Under the set parameters already the manufacturer automatically puts the necessary size of a wax so, so as not to have to cut, trim or bend the edges.
In practice, beekeepers can use a variety of frame designs, pull the wire in your own way, fasten wax, etc.. d.
But one thing remains the same - the external size of the frame will always be limited by the capabilities of the nest, as well as that factor, that wax is made only under certain parameters.
That is why the components of the frame, that is, wooden slats, will have certain standard parameters, according to which the whole structure will be made.
Some people may ask: what guides the beekeeper in the manufacture of frames and why it takes strictly defined numerical values?
It's very simple - most parameters are automatically determined by the capabilities of the hive, under which the frame is made, as well as the biological characteristics of bees.
Example, the width of the upper rail, as well as two side mounted on the mark 2,5 cm - this is due to the fact, then in the natural environment bees build honeycombs on such width.
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The dimensions of the upper rail
The top rail should be 47 cm in length. If you can't stand this point and make it bigger, then it will not stand in the grooves of the structure. Let us allow only some reduction of the numerical value, but not more than a couple of millimeters. Otherwise, the frame base may fall out of the pockets intended for its shoulders.
As for the thickness of this structural element, then beekeepers do not limit themselves and can create a frame with this parameter from 0,1 see to 2,5 cm. It all depends on the type of hive, as well as the personal preferences of each beekeeper.
If we talk about accepted standards, then at the mentioned congress the reference thickness was recognized 1,8 div. When in practice this numerical value began to be used, many experienced beekeepers have come to the conclusion, that's not enough (especially for Dadan-Blatt) and began to be used in thickness 2,5 div. Today, some can apply and 1,5 cm, which in their version will be quite acceptable.
More, there is an opinion about that, that the smaller the thickness, the more space will remain in the hive for the completion of honeycombs. Reducing this setting by 10 within, beekeeper can get to 1,5 kg of extra honey, what, agree, very good.
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Side rails
All dimensions of the framework were discussed at the same convention, which should be used in beekeeping. The side rails also found their reference values.
Here are the following parameters, as the thickness, width and height of the frame.
The height is determined by the vertical length from the upper to the lower rail. It is different for each hive.
Width for all is generally accepted - 2,5 cm. Some beekeepers approve of several hybrid frame sizes - with a side bar with a Hoffman divider (width 3,75 cm).
Experienced beekeepers express a somewhat ambiguous opinion about the use of standard and hybrid widths. Those frameworks, that will go to collect honey, it is better to do without any separators. With a separator are suitable only for the breeding body.
Delimited frames have some disadvantages:
- more bees are crushed during the inspection;
- bad to get out of the hive, as strongly stick together from propolis;
- it is impossible to adjust the width of the streets in the nest;
- some difficulties in manufacturing.
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Most beekeepers consider it more appropriate to use the framework of one sample - without a separator.
The optimal thickness of the slats - 1 div. If you take less value, then when the wire is tensioned, you can see the deformation of the rails. Only the Ruta type frame can be used 0,8 cm and this will not be a fatal mistake, which will lead to deflection.
Lower rail
Its numerical values may vary depending on, which every beekeeper prefers. We can only give some recommendations on its size.
- If the frame is made for breeding, then the recommended width is 1,5 – 2,5 cm, thickness - from 1 see to 0,8 cm (according to the width parameter: the bigger it is, the smaller the thickness).
- Width is preferred for the honey frame 1,5 cm, because it simplifies the movement of bees from the hive, especially during the winter.
- Fasten the bottom bar should not be butt, and in the strut, that is, limiting it to the side rails. Such fastening will allow to be fixed more strongly and does not allow to fall off in that case, when there is a strong tension of the wire.
So, the length of the lower rail will be strictly individual (depends on the thickness and width of its limiting elements).