The Drayton Hive with Author Andrew Bax (S5, E34)

Joining us today is beekeeper and author, Andrew Bax. Andrew lives in the UK and has been keeping bees for decades. Like many of us ‘older beekeepers’, he has sought out better means of managing his colonies.

Andrew switched from a UK standard hive of stacked boxes to a long hive so he didn’t have to lift supers. A standard is the UK size for a large hive, very similar to a deep box hive in the US.

Andrew then decided he could improve on the long hive and began designing.  Keeping the long hive approach, he set the length to hold 18 ‘standard sized’ frames.  To this he added several interesting differences to the hive, including insulation, an entrance not on the bottom, a floor you can clean without moving all those boxes and more. He also modified his management approach and honey handling equipment.

We explore this hive Andrew noting the what and why he did things, and we talked about his book about the design, “Beekeeping Simplified with the Drayton Hive.” The book includes lots of photos, drawings and the plans. It is published by and available from Northern Bee Books, as well as from Amazon.

If long hives with no lifting appeals to you, check out Andrew’s new hive. Your back with thank you.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Leave comments and questions in the Comments Section of the episode's website.

Thank you for listening!

Links and websites mentioned in this podcast: 

• About the Drayton Hive: https://www.draytonbeehive.com/about-the-hive
• Andrew's Book at NBB: https://www.northernbeebooks.co.uk/products/bax-the-drayton-hive/
• Beekeeping Today Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@beekeepingtodaypodcast
• Honey Bee Obscura: https://www.honeybeeobscura.com

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This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global offers a variety of standard and custom patties. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this episode! 

We welcome Betterbee as sponsor of today's episode. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

Thanks to Strong Microbials for their support of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Find out more about heir line of probiotics in our Season 3, Episode 12 episode and from their website: https://www.strongmicrobials.com

We welcome HiveAlive back as an episode sponsor. HiveAlive is the #1 liquid feed supplement for honeybees worldwide.  It contains a unique blend of seaweed extracts, thyme and lemongrass proven to increase bee strength, produce more honey, improved bee gut health and improved overwinter survival. Ask about HiveAlive and new HiveAlive Fondant & Pollen Patty at your local beekeeping store or visit the website www.usa.hivealivebees.com for more information. Listeners of the podcast can claim a special discount online using the code "BTP" at the checkout!

Thanks for Northern Bee Books for their support. Northern Bee Books is the publisher of bee books available worldwide from their website or from Amazon and bookstores everywhere. They are also the publishers of The Beekeepers Quarterly and Natural Bee Husbandry.

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments in the show notes of this episode or: [email protected]

Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of The Beekeeping Today Podcast. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com

Thank you for listening! 

Podcast music: Be Strong by Young Presidents; Epilogue by Musicalman; Walking in Paris by Studio Le Bus; A Fresh New Start by Pete Morse; Original guitar background instrumental by Jeff Ott

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