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Poll

How useful is an observation window?

A Must!
3 (16.7%)
Comes in handy
10 (55.6%)
Use it sometimes
0 (0%)
Only for fun
4 (22.2%)
Not helpful
0 (0%)
Adds more problems than it solves
1 (5.6%)

Total Members Voted: 2

Author Topic: Observation Window, useful?  (Read 3483 times)

Offline jeremy_c

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Observation Window, useful?
« on: May 19, 2009, 08:15:25 pm »
I am curious how useful you find an observation window in your hives.

Jeremy
Bee section of my blog: http://jeremy.lifewithchrist.org/category/bee-keeping.html ... has stories, pictures and videos of a new beekeeper.

Offline Bee Happy

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Re: Observation Window, useful?
« Reply #1 on: May 19, 2009, 09:31:03 pm »
I said 'comes in handy' since it won't kill the bees if you don't have one; but that's the only reason.
I plan on splitting into an observation hive by next spring at the latest.
be happy and make others happy.

Offline mtbe

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Re: Observation Window, useful?
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2009, 10:00:29 am »
I selected "comes in handy", but as a newbee, I think it is a lot of fun too.

Offline luvin honey

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Re: Observation Window, useful?
« Reply #3 on: May 20, 2009, 12:07:04 pm »
I said "A Must!", but obviously it is not literally necessary for bee or human survival.  :-D I just cannot imaging having a hive that I could only scope out every 1-2 weeks! I really think my observation window will get people (friends and family) into beekeeping who would otherwise have little interest or desire. It gives everyone the capability of actually watching the bees do their incredible work!

So, maybe it actually could contribute to bee viability!
The pedigree of honey
Does not concern the bee;
A clover, any time, to him
Is aristocracy.
---Emily Dickinson

Offline SawBee

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Re: Observation Window, useful?
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2009, 11:51:58 pm »
My vote has to be "Comes in Handy".  I just installed my first three packages May23 and was able to see new comb in the observation window by the end of the day on May 24.  It was great to know they were already off and building comb.  I even observed a bee with lots of pollen doing a location dance.

Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: Observation Window, useful?
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2009, 01:58:53 am »
In the long run a window in a regular hive is more trouble than it's worth.  If you want to see into a hive obtain or make an observatioin hive.
Life is a school.  What have you learned?   :brian:      The greatest danger to our society is apathy, vote in every election!

Offline Daddys Girl

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Re: Observation Window, useful?
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2009, 04:47:07 pm »
I said "A Must!" because while bees will get on fine without one, the number of full inspections I have to do drops precipitously because I can open the window, take a peek, and walk away if there is nothing there that needs any attention.