Layens Hive: The Original Horizontal Hive

The Layens hive is a unique and innovative approach to beekeeping. Designed in the 19th century by the renowned French beekeeper Georges de Layens, this horizontal hive has gained popularity among beekeepers for its simplicity and efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

Layens hive is the original horizontal hive with extra-deep frames.
Designed by Georges de Layens in the 19th century.
Built with a focus on minimal interventions and “treatment-free” beekeeping.
Typically consists of 14 foundationless frames.
Offers enhanced durability and protection for bees in various conditions.

History and Origin
Design and Structure
Benefits of Using Layens Hive
How to Set Up a Layens Hive
The Layens Hive
Managing Horizontal Hives
Hive Inspection and Maintenance
Honey Harvesting
Wintering
Layens Hive: Advanced Insights and FAQs

History and Origin

The Layens hive traces its roots back to the 19th century when Georges de Layens, a prominent French beekeeper, introduced this horizontal hive design. Unlike traditional vertical hives, the Layens hive emphasizes horizontal expansion, allowing bees to build their comb naturally.

Design and Structure

The walls of the Layens hive are notably thick, with a minimum thickness of 30mm or 1¼ inch. This design ensures better insulation, especially during harsh weather conditions. Each hive typically consists of 14 foundationless frames, which can either be wired or come with a comb guide. The roof of the hive is covered in an aluminium sheet, providing added durability against external elements. Notably, the construction process involves the use of stainless steel screws and high-quality exterior wood glue, ensuring the hive’s longevity.

Benefits of Using Layens Hive

Natural Bee Behavior: The horizontal design allows bees to build their comb naturally, mimicking their behavior in the wild.
Ease of Inspection: Beekeepers can easily inspect the hive without disturbing the entire colony.
Minimal Interventions: Layens hives are designed to be “treatment-free,” reducing the need for frequent interventions.
Durability: The use of quality materials ensures the hive’s durability, even in challenging weather conditions.

How to Set Up a Layens Hive

Setting up a Layens hive is relatively straightforward. Begin by selecting a suitable location that offers protection from direct sunlight and strong winds. Ensure the hive is placed on a stable surface, preferably elevated to prevent moisture buildup. Once positioned, introduce the bee colony and regularly monitor their progress.

The Layens Hive
By: Leo Sharashkin

The Layens hive, named after Georges de Layens, the leading beekeeping authority in Europe, is designed to mimic bees’ natural habitat in trees. The hive is horizontal, holding 20 large frames (13” long by 16” deep) on one level. The number of frames can vary depending on local honey flows. The hive is loaded with frames during the spring inspection and then opened in the fall for honey harvest. This hive and beekeeping method became one of the most popular in Europe, with Spain alone using over one million Layens hives today.

Georges de Layens emphasized sustainable beekeeping, which rests on two principles: using local bees and keeping them in appropriate hives that require minimal management. He developed a system that allows beekeepers to manage their colonies with only two or three hive visits per year. The Layens hive is designed to be gentle on both the bees and the beekeeper.

Historically, beekeeping was simpler, with farmers having multiple hives in their backyards that required minimal care. However, modern beekeeping often involves high costs, frequent hive checks, and challenges like high bee mortality. Layens’ approach offers a return to a more natural and sustainable method.

Managing Horizontal Hives

Layens’ book is filled with advice applicable to any hive system. He emphasizes the importance of:

Big hives.
Big frames.
Enough room in the hive for uninterrupted egg-laying by the queen.

These principles ensure minimal natural swarming, maximum honey production, and a strong bee population by fall.

Hive Inspection and Maintenance

Layens suggests a spring inspection to ensure the queen has ample room for laying eggs. During this inspection, frames containing a lot of honey should be moved to the far end of the hive. The main honeyflow should find the hive with some old honey, which aids in quick crystallization when extracted.

Honey Harvesting

For high-quality honey with a long shelf life, it should be extracted from almost entirely capped combs. Layens recommends a late harvest, around September. The extraction process is simple, and with experience, beekeepers can determine the right amount of honey to leave for wintering.

Wintering

Layens hives are designed for effective wintering. Thick walls provide insulation, and the large frames ensure continuous honey access for the wintering cluster. A narrower nest minimizes heat loss.

Conclusion

Layens’ approach to beekeeping offers a sustainable and natural method that aligns with the bees’ instincts. By using local bees and appropriate hives, beekeepers can achieve successful and profitable beekeeping with minimal intervention.

Layens Hive: Advanced Insights and FAQs

The Layens hive, with its horizontal design and deep frames, has been a game-changer in the beekeeping world. Its design, inspired by the natural habitats of bees, offers a sustainable approach to beekeeping. As the popularity of this hive grows, so do the questions and curiosities surrounding it. In this section, we’ll delve deeper into the intricacies of the Layens hive and address some frequently asked questions.

Layens vs. Other Hives

While the Layens hive has gained traction, especially in Europe, it’s essential to understand how it compares to other hive types:

Layens vs. Top Bar Hive

Both the Layens and top bar hive are horizontal designs, eliminating the need for lifting heavy boxes. The primary distinction is that the Layens hive incorporates frames with foundations, enabling honey extraction without destroying the comb. In contrast, the top bar hive uses only top bars, meaning the honeycomb must be cut from the bar during honey production, requiring the colony to rebuild the comb.

Layens vs. Langstroth Hive

The Langstroth hive is a vertical modular design comprising multiple brood boxes and supers. The Layens hive, on the other hand, is horizontal with a single box housing both brood and honeycomb. The Layens design emphasizes natural bee behavior, while the Langstroth hive is more modular and expandable. For a detailed comparison, you can refer to this comprehensive guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who invented the Layens hive?

The Layens hive was conceptualized and introduced by the French beekeeper George de Layens in the 19th century.

How much honey can a Layens frame hold?

Typically, a Layens frame can accommodate around 8-12 pounds of honey, making it manageable for most beekeepers to lift.

How does the Layens hive ensure effective insulation?

The Layens hive boasts thick walls, often double-walled with an insulating layer sandwiched between. This design mimics the insulation of a tree trunk, providing the bees with a conducive environment, especially during colder months.

What are the strengths of a Layens hive?

Some of the notable strengths include:

Superior insulation, ensuring bees stay warm and consume less honey.
Ease of inspection with minimal bending or lifting.
Cost-effective startup compared to the Langstroth hive.
Effective design for overwintering.
No need for queen excluders.
Division boards facilitate easy expansion or contraction of the hive space.

What are the potential weaknesses?

A few challenges beekeepers might face include:

Limited educational materials and mentors compared to the Langstroth hive.
Difficulty in relocating the hive, especially when filled with honey.
Most honey extractors aren’t compatible with the extra-deep frames of the Layens hive.
Unlike vertical hives, additional space cannot be added.