I built this prototype patterned after some EWK hives that I saw in some European videos. I haven't been able to find much detail about the EWK hives so I've just gone by what I can see, and guessed about the rest:
I like the idea of the clear sides so that progress can be monitored without too much intrusion on the hive, and in the videos that I have seen they stock these with only about a cup full of nurse bees. Also I think it would be cool to take one to school for show and tell.
The regular EWK hives only use a top bar I think, but I've made some frames that are 1/2 size of a regular medium so that when I'm finished with the mating nucs the comb can still be used (by unscrewing the top bar and screwing 2 onto a standard bar) instead of just discarded or melted. Might be more trouble than it's worth, but I hate to waste good comb and brood.
There is an 1 1/2 space above the frame for feeding candy - more or less like the EWK hives.
BTW, these have to be kept inside of an insulated outer enclosure to keep them from getting too hot - I think I can come up with a scheme to keep 4 in 1.
Anyway, as far as I can tell the EWK hives only ventilation is via the very small entrance. Does anyone have any experience with single frame mating hives like this? I'm wondering if I shouldn't make a provision for more ventilation - It might get hotter in Tennessee than it does in Austria. I don't know.This is only a prototype, and I can already see a couple of things that I need to change. I plan to try a few of them, and see if I like them. If I do I will make enough to raise a batch of queens - at least that is the plan.