This is excellent! I am a shepherd and was just approached by a beekeeper at a show last weekend about acquiring some raw wool to overwinter his hive. I've used wool for insulation, garden amendment, soil conservation, and a few other things (beside the usual spinning/etc.), but this was the first time I'd been asked about this. So here I am doing research. Thanks for helping get the word out about more uses for natural fibers!

Nice job, and keep in mind that bees take water inside and you need some vents for moisture to exit. I hope you added some on the lid. Thanks for sharing

Double walled, interesting concept for an Iowa winter....

I like these videos. keep 'm coming. Thanks.

Great work Gene. I built 3 of these last year as well with slight modifications. I used foam insulation board instead of lambs wool...my insulation is 1" foam that was reclaimed from an old chicken house that was being taken down. The main change from the plans was to reinforce the corners with ripped boards (I think they were 1.5"x1.5") on the inside. This way you are nailing the plywood to the board instead of a just a plywood to plywood mating. You also do not need the metal on the outside for reinforcement with the internal board. For the holes you can use a forstner bit in a drill to cut a nice hole without a router. All my layens hives are doing great here in Texas.

@enjoybeekeeping5612

2 жыл бұрын

I agree that would be a much better upgrade to the "bones" of this hive and will likely incorporate ideas like that for a sturdier construction. Thanks!

@indymagoo

Жыл бұрын

I’m also going to do this for my next two. I really don’t like the plywood to plywood corners. I have also considered eliminating the dado frame notches on the bottom and building a complete frame to attach the outside panels to.

@gregoryjohns9537

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same for corner reinforcement- don't care for plywood to plywood. Good to hear someone has already done it! Headed out to get a big bag or raw wool tomorrow!

@gregoryjohns9537

Жыл бұрын

@@indymagoo Hoping you'll try that and send info/specs/pictures for Gene René to share with us.

@1918Camel

7 ай бұрын

Gene thanks for the video and rpeebles thanks for answering my question I was going to as. “Is there only problem with just using insulation?” The only thing is in using lambs wool does that do anything special with any condensation that might happen, where as the insulation would not soak it up? 😊

The moths will love the wool in the hive

@adelinawarriner6259

3 ай бұрын

wool area is sealed

Looks like I need to build another hive! Thanks for sharing how you built this hive

Love your project, and I’m glad you mastered it. Though in my climate I use aac blocks because I have fixed places and my wife hated all this loose boxes in the fields so saying this yes I’m using as well layens hives, and the smallest box wall is 80 feet long and contains a round 70 colony’s of carni bees.

Great video. I would love to build one of these insulated hives, but I don't trust my accuracy on the table saw yet. Lol

@beebob1279

Жыл бұрын

I would be more concerned with learning experience and keeping my fingers. IF you're not great at it yet, take lessons from someone who has experience

Nice where were the plans from

if you can 'CARD' the wool - it will put more air between the fibers and improve the R value. You can get a drum carder or hand carders - or even a swing picker will separate the fibers for you

As an added bonus, this is using up a resource that most sheep farmers toss(at least they do in our area).

@4kays160

Жыл бұрын

Sheep farmers toss out the wool? Theres no reason to farm sheep other than for the wool, and i live in a country that eats lamb as a tradition and farm sheep, the sheep are only farmed for wool, no one eats adult sheep as the mutton meat is tough chewy and gamey, lamb is a bi product of the wool industry, if you know farmers that are throwing out the wool, they are not sheep farmers at all..

Gene, I have build this hive too and i found its better to add some framing lumber around the edges that you can staple the plywood to. I used 11/4" around all edges and it worked out great.

@enjoybeekeeping5612

2 жыл бұрын

Good tip! I also considered adding something with a little more "meat" on it to frame it with.

Great video Gene. I am thinking about tackling building some of these. My 2x hives are just real heavy to move into place. What type roof system are you going to use with this hive? Keep up the good work.

@enjoybeekeeping5612

2 жыл бұрын

I went with the flat tops for now, but want to use a gable roof for future ones. The framing wood needs to be thicker in order to accommodate the hinges and the gable I use on my standard Layens hives will not fit on this particular hive because it is 1 1/2" wider *exterior dimension) and I'll have to go to the drawing board for a gable roof on this specific plan.

Gene, how do you keep the wool from sagging in the walls as loose insulation does in our attics. If it sags you end up with gaps and air spaces. I’m wondering if shredded denim insulation wouldn’t be better. It allows humidity to pass through without sagging. What do you think?

@enjoybeekeeping5612

2 жыл бұрын

Rob, I had the same concerns before I started, but it is so fluffy that it actually pushes outwards, and after stuffing it in the walls I could see that sagging should not be an issue because it's trying to expand so It stays put until you push on it to move it around - If that makes sense. I don't think it will sag after working with it physically. Plus the plywood has a semi rough surface so it grabs the wool and secures it.

@beebob1279

Жыл бұрын

@@enjoybeekeeping5612 This was my concern. Obviously, it holds up or so many people using the wool would have had to adjust. I'm getting started with Layen's hives and limiting my Langstroths.

@gregoryjohns9537

Жыл бұрын

I'm thinking I might drizzle some glue on the plywood where it contacts the wool to help keep it from sagging. Only concern I have is trapping the glue moisture in the wool compartment- not sure if that's an issue or not.

@Rob_Brock

Жыл бұрын

@@gregoryjohns9537 I’ve simply gone with 1 1/2” foam board insulation. Easy to work with, cheap, stays in place, and adds rigidity to the hive. My colonies are doing very well with it. No moisture or mold inside. I also add a divider board with the foam on it in the winter. I do keep the divider 3/4” off the bottom to allow air flow.

Love the project. Pardon my heretical question but can foam board be used as the insulation wool cannot be had? Just thinking of how a Yeti cooler is made. Thanks

@enjoybeekeeping5612

6 ай бұрын

I too must be a heretic because I have hives using the 1 1/2" foam board too. Just like a Yeti

Why use wool,when i can get stable closed cel styrofoam in 1 & 1/2 inch or 2 inch thick sheets ? Here in Central Northern Nova Scotia it gets cold we see minus 15 to 20 often for weeks at a time, then a thaw, then flash frozen for days or weeks again. Making the hive with 3/4 inch plywood ( I prefer Fir as its great water/moisture resistance) using pine for my corners, as well as where access for the bees are. Have been looking at making my own Layens hive & know it has to been insulated, seen 4 vids now all about wool, but no one speaks on stereo. Why is that ?

Is there a metric version for the rest off the world ? Because I can’t get it right from customs conversion

Though as said so. I have exactly 3 the same in case off insulate some colony’s to another apiary etc.

What type of staples? Crown? Or ?

What do you think is the weight of the completed hive? I built mine using 15/32” plywood because I already had it. This meant doing a bunch of math to convert the plans. Mine is heavy enough that I will add lifting handles to the ends.

Do you paint the outside , or scotch the outside with fire to make it water proof?

Have you considered over cutting by a few mm (or 10ths) and then trimming with a trimming router bit?

And also worth to know about insulation's that if you pack the insulation too tight it will lose some of the insulation values because insulation need to be airy to work properly.

@enjoybeekeeping5612

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip :)

How many pounds of raw wool would be needed for a 19 frame hive - walls, top and bottom? You say in the video 7-10 pounds but your order form implies that amount is only for the top and bottom, not the sides

Did you have to rip any of the 2x4s? You said you had to trim them.

Not finding a source for wool. Fiberglass or cellulose? Negatives?

Do you see any detrimental issues using fiberglass of cellulose for in between inner and outer sides? Completely isolated from bees. Thx

I love this one’s for my beehives, a pity there’s no metric version of it

@simonclark8290

10 ай бұрын

Exactly what I was thinking. I will convert it to metric before I build one for sure. In the UK we had inches and metric for decades but moved to metric and now it seems very odd to think in 3/8ths. I think I just did a 3/8 * 25.4 conversion to get 9.52mm so 10mm ply will do ;-)

Awesome video I’m thinking of building 2 of this bee hive but how can buy the sheep wool from you. Thanks

@enjoybeekeeping5612

2 жыл бұрын

Just send an email to enjoybeekeeping@gmail.com if you can't find anyone local

Why would you not used polystyrene sheets? I am hoping to build hives this winter as I am a Market Gardner. I went to Dr. Leo's seminar in late March.

@wendygrant2735

2 жыл бұрын

humidity and mold is the answer, sheep wool fixes this

Trouble with those u can’t spin the frames? Maybe a double deep frame clipped together

@jay90374

Жыл бұрын

Sure you can!

I don't have affordable access to sheep's wool. Can you recommend an alternative that would be safe for the bees?

@enjoybeekeeping5612

2 жыл бұрын

I've used styrofoam insulation without any issues since it does not come in contact with the bees, but my preference is wool if I can get it.

@joshualott4737

2 жыл бұрын

Maybe check with a 4H extension office?

@indymagoo

Жыл бұрын

I used Rockwool for mine.

@stevewoodward3051

Жыл бұрын

Look for a sheep farmer that is raising sheep for meat. Wool is byproduct in the spring

I got out of bee keeping because of living in N.W. Mt. temperatures can be extreme. Also, our winters tend to come early and leave late, and bee didn't have enough to keep them going. I had vertical hives. Do you have planes for your double wall. I have plenty of sources for un-processed wool. Please let me know I'd like to build one this winter and be ready for spring. Chris

@adelinawarriner6259

3 ай бұрын

there are free plans for layens hives online- by the person who designed them

I've looked at the natural beekeeping website by Doc. and his description of measurements aren't very great. I've done woodworking for years building my own Langstroth boxes, etc. along with cabinets for the house. I have looked to see if you demonstrate building these hives and haven't seen it. Do you have videos of building these hives along with measurements? I'll be building them this spring (whether ready this coming season or not). I'm looking forward to building something that will be easier than the heavy langstroth boxes. I just don't want to lift those things anymore.

@enjoybeekeeping5612

Жыл бұрын

I haven't created one yet, but there's a guy with a channel called "Bee Boy Bill" that actually walks you through the building process step by step if you want to check him out.

@beebob1279

Жыл бұрын

@@enjoybeekeeping5612 I've watched that guy. I would like to see you do it too.

@jay90374

Жыл бұрын

@@beebob1279 The exact plans with cut list is free on Leo's website!

@beebob1279

Жыл бұрын

@@jay90374 If you read my comment you would find that his plans are not that great

@jay90374

Жыл бұрын

@@beebob1279 Calling him doc is not very specific, so I didn't think you meant him. I downloaded the PDF file last fall, and it is very detailed, with exact measurements (to 1/16") to build 3 hives out of a 2x4, 4 sheets of plywood and a couple of 1x4s with almost zero waste! It even has a complete material list right down to the number and size of screws, staples and everything else. You can't be much of a woodworker if you can't follow along with the step by step instructions and accompanying pictures. I am no woodworker by any stretch but had no problem building these hives though.

Where are you located? Do you make and sell these to others?

@enjoybeekeeping5612

2 жыл бұрын

Winder, GA - if you're in the area give me a shout. I build for beekeepers all the time, mostly for local pick up. Shipping costs are outrageous these days, but can still do it.

that will all absorb moisture from the air and clump at the bottom leaving the top half without

Lambs wool the best? Government studies say the the hair from the musk-ox is far better insulation...