10-frame hive size: drawings of a Danan bee house, pros and cons

To properly organize work in the apiary, the beekeeper needs to familiarize himself with the general parameters and possible sizes of bee hives - for example, you can consider the 10-frame hive of Charles Dadan. This is a standard bee house format that is often used by beekeepers - beginners and with many years of experience. There are features that you need to know for successful breeding of insects.

What is it?

Charles Dadant is an entrepreneur and beekeeper who lived in the 19th century. The design combined the knowledge and capabilities of that period. The scientist made some calculations and came to the conclusion that a standard bee family needs 10 frames to fully fill the hive with honey.

Attention! The front board is a mandatory structural element that provides separation of the frames and access to the collected honey. If you do not remove food supplies, bee colonies will stop laying eggs, the number of individuals will begin to decline.

Advantages and disadvantages

Hive of this type has positive and negative sides. The advantages of using Dadan hives include the following points:

• final design depends on the size of the family living in it;
• bee houses can be assembled by yourself;
• The size of the hive allows you to inspect the bees at any time, which also makes it easier to collect honey;
• increased breadth of internals prevents insects from swarming;
• suitable parameters allow you to increase the collection of honey - up to 50 kg from one bee house.

In addition, this design allows you to protect the home of insects from winds, drafts, moisture. Cons include:

• if you use the minimum dimensions of 10-frame houses, the amount of collected honey may be reduced (in this case, you often have to complete a separate building);
• in turn, additional elements lead to a heavier structure, which makes it difficult to transport and unload bee dwellings;
• Some beekeepers feel that the frames in these buildings are not large enough, making it difficult to collect the finished product.

Despite the presence of negative sides, buildings designed by Charles Dadan have been in demand among beekeepers since the 19th century.

Required tools and materials

To make a beehive at home, you need to prepare the following materials:

• wood (boards 3 to 4 cm thick, aspen, cedar, linden). Attention! To build bee houses, natural wood is used without additional chemical impregnations. In woody buildings, insects feel wildlife, and extraneous odors weaken bees;
• tin sheets for roof;
• hammer, nails;
• grinding machine, drill;
• paint and glue.

In some cases, you will need to use a woodworking machine. Paints and glues are selected non-toxic to minimize chemical exposure to bees and products.

Preparation

To quickly assemble a home for insects, you need to prepare the details of the hive. Preparation steps:

• required to select the appropriate blueprints to create a 10 frame structure;
• dry the boards (maximum humidity level - no more than 15%). Attention! To find out if the boards are dry enough, you can use a special technique or developed tables (the ratio of weight and amount of moisture in wood is indicated as a percentage);
• bars of the required size and quantity are cut from prepared wood;
• to grind the elements, turn the details (there should be no jagged, curved sides).

To facilitate assembly, small strips (2.5 by 1.2 cm) are installed on the inside. In winter, such details will help provide the house with additional warmth.

Drawings and dimensions

To assemble a bee dwelling for 10 frames, you need to draw up an exact drawing with dimensions or use ready-made options. Options:

• slats - 1.8 by 0.4 cm;
• inner frame size - 45.2 by 45 cm, external indicators - 51.2 by 51 cm;
• in section - body height is 24 cm, thickness of side walls - from 3 to 4 cm (depending on the thickness of prepared boards).

Dimensions can be slightly adjusted depending on the characteristics of the wood (in particular the thickness of the boards).

DIY Assembly

Final assembly is carried out after the preparation of parts. The bottom of the beehive is prepared from five boards glued together with PVA glue. Next steps:

• one of the sides is placed on the table, the next wall is placed on it (it is better to number the corners first so as not to get confused);
• a frame is installed at a distance of 7.7 cm from the edge;
• after adding elements, you need to polish;
• small holes are cut in the walls to make it easier to move buildings;
• you need to cut a small notch on the front wall.

Small slats measuring 0.8 by 2 cm are nailed on the sides. The top of the house must be covered with a tin to prevent moisture from getting in during rain or snow (more precisely, to minimize the likelihood of liquid getting in).

Double-sided bottom is a must for a 10-frame bee house. The ceiling should be 44.5 by 52 cm. Details in the video.

Letki and ventilation

Bees need a taphole to organize summer and collect nectar. For 10-frame buildings, it is made across the entire width. Features:

• shape - rectangular or oval (depending on the preferences of the beekeeper);
• to make it comfortable for insects, you need to install a small board near the notch (the allowable width is 3.5 cm);
• on the sides it is worth making holes 1.5 cm in diameter - for ventilation;
• ventilation openings are covered with bars.

Insects need enough fresh air - excessive humidity promotes the development of diseases, bacteria (mold and other pathogens).

10-frame bee house - a design that is used in apiaries more often than others. In such a structure, there is enough space for bees to breed and collect honey, it is important to check insects in a timely manner and collect the necessary products.

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