Extra Deep Frames

deep frame with circular brood pattern

The very deep frames used in the Lazutin hive are used widely in different hive types throughout Europe. They are also used by many older beekeepers who know from experience that larger brood areas are better for the bees, and those that practice natural beekeeping use the principle of ‘continuous brood’ to reflect this concept. And of course, we also allow the bees to build their own natural comb. The use of Warre hives in Tasmania in some ways aimed for a more continuous brood by the use of a top bar only in the brood area of boxes however there is always a bar or so cutting through the continuous brood. It is a good improvement from commercial hives but the extra deep frames take the concept much further with great benefits.
I am a big fan of Warre hives and an even a bigger fan of the Lazutin hive and that is due to the extra deep frames. When bees live on these frames they design their brood area into a circle on the frame and a sphere across several combs. It is the most efficient way to check on and feed their brood, control temperature and humidity, and smell the health and needs of their young. Next to the brood are the essential resources, the pollen interchange circle directly around the brood, then the honey stores. The frames are deep enough for the bees to have pollen and honey in the bottom corners of the frames. A perfect way to look after their colony, and the healthiest design for bees to operate.

With the frame area of 305mm wide and 375mm deep it is perfectly arranged to be a width reflective of a natural cluster size if bees need to do so, and yet deep enough to allow for the more efficient arrangement of the circular brood area.
Along with the new nursery design, the bees leave less empty cells scattered throughout the brood area as they commonly do in a cool climate, but that is a story for another time…
Happy Beeking!