The Sun Hive: A Natural Abode for Honey Bees

The Sun Hive, an innovative and sustainable approach to beekeeping, is gaining traction among bee enthusiasts and environmentalists alike. This unique hive design, inspired by the natural nesting preferences of honey bees, offers a harmonious blend of traditional skep beekeeping and modern hive management techniques.

Key Takeaways:

• The Sun Hive is egg-shaped, mimicking the natural nest structure of honey bees.
• Designed by German sculptor Günter Mancke, the hive emphasizes the importance of allowing bees to live as nature intended.
• Unlike conventional box-shaped hives, the Sun Hive is made of straw and offers a warmer, more natural environment for bees.
• The hive is equipped with removable frames, allowing beekeepers to inspect and manage the colony without causing undue stress to the bees.
• Sun Hives are not commercially available; enthusiasts must craft their own or attend specialized workshops.

Table of Contents

• Origins of the Sun Hive
• Design and Structure
• Benefits of the Sun Hive
• Building Your Own Sun Hive
• Siting and Weathering Considerations
• The Philosophy Behind the Sun Hive
• Delving into the Structure
• Honey Production and the Sun Hive
• The Global Impact of the Sun Hive
• The Sun Hive: Addressing Common Queries and Concerns

Origins of the Sun Hive

The Sun Hive emerged from Günter Mancke’s desire to free bees from the constraints of conventional, box-shaped hives. He believed that the cuboid design of modern hives goes against the natural tendencies and preferences of honey bees. Mancke’s Sun Hive, with its egg-shaped design, allows bees to build their nests as they would in the wild, without the limitations imposed by straight walls and sharp corners.

Design and Structure

The Sun Hive consists of two main components: the over-skep and the under-skep. The over-skep houses the comb arches, which are essential for the bees to hang and draw their combs. These arches are removable, allowing beekeepers to inspect the hive when necessary. The under-skep, on the other hand, is where the bees draw their wild combs, suspended freely from the arches.

The hive also features a unique entrance funnel, which serves as a decorative landing board for the bees. This funnel is designed to withstand various weather conditions, ensuring that the bees can access their home regardless of the external environment.

Benefits of the Sun Hive

The Sun Hive offers numerous advantages over traditional hives:

• Natural Design: The egg-shaped design is more in line with the natural nesting preferences of honey bees.
• Thermal Efficiency: The straw construction provides better insulation, keeping the hive warm during colder months.
• Sustainability: Made from natural materials, the Sun Hive is environmentally friendly and biodegradable.

Building Your Own Sun Hive

For those interested in adopting this sustainable approach to beekeeping, building a Sun Hive is a rewarding endeavor. While detailed instructions can be found in Günter Mancke’s book, “The Sun Hive,” here are some basic steps to get you started:

1. Wooden Parts: Begin by crafting the nine comb arches, which will serve as the foundation for the bees to hang and draw their combs.
2. Canvas Hood: This tailored cover is essential for preventing bees from building comb in unwanted areas and encouraging propolising.
3. Skeps: Construct the over-skep and under-skep using templates to ensure accurate sizing and shaping.
4. Entrance Funnel: Design a funnel that not only looks aesthetically pleasing but also functions effectively as a landing board for the bees.

Siting and Weathering Considerations

When setting up a Sun Hive, it’s crucial to consider its location and protection against the elements. Traditional skeps were often housed in bee boles or plastered with a protective mortar known as cloome. Today, beekeepers have devised various methods to shield the Sun Hive from adverse weather conditions, such as using hackles made from bundles of reeds or wheat straw.

External Resources

For those keen on diving deeper into the world of Sun Hives, here are some valuable resources:

• Natural Beekeeping Trust
• More about Skep Beekeeping
• Sun Hive Experiments in Natural Beekeeping

The Sun Hive: A Deeper Dive into Apicentric Beekeeping

The Sun Hive, with its distinctive design and philosophy, is a testament to the growing movement towards apicentric beekeeping. This approach prioritizes the well-being of honeybees as pollinators first, with honey production being a secondary objective. Originating from Germany, the Sun Hive has garnered significant interest in Britain and other parts of the world.

The Philosophy Behind the Sun Hive

The Sun Hive is more than just a unique design; it embodies a philosophy that places bees at the forefront. This apicentric approach to beekeeping emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting the natural behaviors and preferences of honeybees. The hive’s design, inspired by the traditional European skep hive, aims to maximize colony health by allowing bees to live and thrive in an environment that closely resembles their natural habitats.

Delving into the Structure

The Sun Hive features an inverted skep hive at its base, with curving frames in the upper section and a frameless bottom section. This design ensures that the hive is elevated well above the ground, aligning with the natural preferences of bees, who seldom choose ground-level locations for their nests.

One of the standout features of the Sun Hive is its ability to allow the queen bee unrestricted movement throughout the hive. This freedom enables her to lay eggs wherever she deems fit, allowing the colony to manage the location and progression of their brood nest. This autonomy is crucial for maintaining optimal colony health.

The top curved frames of the Sun Hive are designed to be removable. In theory, each frame can be taken out, with the free-form comb beneath it also being detachable as it attaches directly to the frame above.

Honey Production and the Sun Hive

While the Sun Hive is primarily designed for the well-being of the bees, it doesn’t neglect the aspect of honey production. The hive can be equipped with a super during a honey flow. However, there are considerations to be made regarding the use of a queen excluder, which might contradict the hive’s philosophy of allowing the queen unrestricted movement.

The Global Impact of the Sun Hive

The Sun Hive is a part of a broader global movement that seeks to revolutionize beekeeping practices. Traditional industrial beekeeping methods are increasingly being scrutinized for their potential negative impacts on bee colonies. The Sun Hive, along with other natural beekeeping approaches like the Warré Beehive, offers an alternative that prioritizes the health and well-being of bees.

However, it’s essential to recognize that a hive design developed in one part of the world might not necessarily be suitable for another. Factors such as seasonal differences, honey flow patterns, humidity, and other climatic conditions play a significant role in determining the effectiveness of a hive design.

For instance, while the Sun Hive is gaining traction in Europe, its suitability for regions like Australia remains a topic of discussion. Different continents have varying conditions that necessitate adaptations in hive design for effective natural beekeeping.

The Sun Hive: Addressing Common Queries and Concerns

The Sun Hive, with its distinctive design and underlying philosophy, has piqued the interest of many in the beekeeping community. As with any innovative approach, there are bound to be questions and concerns. In this section, we aim to address some of the most frequently asked questions about the Sun Hive.

Understanding the Sun Hive

The Sun Hive, known as Weissenseifener Haengekorb, is a central component of the Natural Beekeeping Trust’s dedication to bee guardianship. Rooted in the principles of bee-centered apiculture, the Sun Hive serves primarily as a conservation hive for honeybees. While occasional honey surplus might be a delightful outcome, the hive’s primary purpose isn’t honey production.

Constructed ingeniously from skep baskets woven from rye straw combined with wooden support structures, the Sun Hive is designed to be installed at a height of at least 2.5 meters (8 feet). This elevation ensures that bees remain in their aerial domain, flying above any passersby.

The Design Philosophy

German sculptor, Guenther Mancke, designed the Sun Hive after extensive research into the nature of honeybee colonies. The hive’s design aims to liberate bees from earthbound and cuboid principles that contradict the natural form laws of these creatures. The Sun Hive allows bees to live in harmony with their inherent nature while offering beekeepers the flexibility of a movable comb system.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What makes the Sun Hive different from traditional hives?

The Sun Hive’s unique egg-shaped design, constructed from natural materials like rye straw, sets it apart. Its elevated installation and emphasis on bee welfare over honey production further distinguish it from conventional hives.

2. Can I harvest honey from the Sun Hive?

While the Sun Hive’s primary purpose is not honey production, beekeepers might occasionally be favored with some surplus honey. However, regular and large-scale honey harvesting is not recommended.

3. Is the Sun Hive suitable for all climates and regions?

The Sun Hive, originating in Germany, is gaining popularity in Europe. However, its suitability for other regions, like Australia, is still under discussion. Factors like seasonal variations, honey flow patterns, and humidity play a role in determining the hive’s effectiveness in different areas.

4. How do I maintain and manage a Sun Hive?

The Sun Hive requires minimal intervention, aligning with the philosophy of natural beekeeping. However, beekeepers can inspect the hive using the removable top curved frames. It’s essential to approach the hive with the bees’ welfare in mind, avoiding unnecessary disturbances.