Sun Hive

I am learning about beekeeping from a local Biodynamic beekeeper and we have had multiple discussions on Sun Hives. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with them. I plan on having multiple hives, at least one a Warre while the others Sun Hives. My intentions are to give the bees a sanctuary and place to swarm naturally year after year, while collecting very little honey (in comparison to a typical amount harvested). Growing the grains, crafting the hives, and giving the bees a spherical home seems immensely rewarding to the soul and greater harmony. I have been deeply influenced by the book The Shamanic Way of the Bee and the referenced teachings of the Path of Pollen, and hope to carry on such sacred practices for the sake of the bees. Just wondering if there were any folks using such techniques here, specifically the Sun Hive.

http://www.naturalbeekeepingtrust.org/sun-hive-biodynamic-initiative-0

Sunhives are unfortunately illegal to use as a beehive in the United States. All hives are required to have moveable frames for the gov't to inspect the brood chamber.

Tim Eastham wrote:Sunhives are unfortunately illegal to use as a beehive in the United States. All hives are required to have moveable frames for the gov't to inspect the brood chamber.

Why would the inside bars not count as moveable frames?

John Wolfram wrote:

Tim Eastham wrote:Sunhives are unfortunately illegal to use as a beehive in the United States. All hives are required to have moveable frames for the gov't to inspect the brood chamber.

Why would the inside bars not count as moveable frames?

I stand corrected. I have never seen one with moveable frames before. Very cool. Those probably wouldn't work in FL or TX. We have issues enough in certain areas with comb collapse of the standard TBH depth.

My inspector hates me enough with a TBH. He would probably go ballistic with one of these.

@John Mcdogoode,

I see it's been 8 years, any update on the sunhives? I'd love to hear more.

BTW, the link in your original post is dead. Here's a link that works currently: https://www.naturalbeekeepingtrust.org/sun-hive-introduction

You have me intrigued, I'm gonna go read more.