Zander beehive

The Zander frame size is primarily favored among our beekeeping neighbors in Germany and is commonly utilized in modern hive systems. This hive construction has been significantly improved according to recommendations by Dr. Liebig and comes adapted for holding ten frames per box, with varying available hive-body heights. Crafted from solid wood with a thickness of 20 mm, the frames conveniently rest on stainless steel rails (schienen), facilitating easy and smooth manipulation. The boxes are equipped with ergonomic handles that greatly ease transport and handling. The external dimensions of the boxes measure 52 x 42 cm, making them fully compatible with standard Dr. Liebig Type 12 hives fitted for twelve Normalmaß frames, adapted for warm way positioning.

Our extensive offer includes wooden hive-building components, frames, foundation sheets, queen excluders, feeders, and many additional accessories.

The original Zander hive, invented by beekeeper Enoch Zander around 1900 and bearing his name, consists of multi-box wooden structures configurable into honey supers (upper boxes) and brood chambers (lower boxes). This hive style became especially notable for its lower height combined with significant frame depth compared with conventional hives of the era. The uniform size between brood chambers and honey boxes enhances hive temperature stability, promoting quicker heat buildup in cooler periods and increased efficiency and rapid comb building activity by bees during spring and summer seasons. To ensure the queen remains isolated within the brood chamber, a queen excluder is placed between brood and honey supers, significantly enhancing colony organization. Thus, Zander hives effectively offer modern, efficient, easy-to-maintain solutions, optimizing overall hive conditions.

Zander Beehive according to Dr. Liebig

If you are passionate about beekeeping and seek an efficient, proven hive design, choosing Dr. Liebig's Zander hive is ideal. Adapted specifically for ten Zander frames and manufactured from premium-grade Weymouth Pine, these hives assure longevity and dependable quality.

Key Advantages of the Zander Hive System

Precision Craftsmanship and Stability

Our Zander hives, refined in collaboration with Dr. Gerhard Liebig—combining his years of scientific research and practical beekeeping experience—represent one of the most sophisticated and stable hive designs available internationally. Hive boxes are made from 20 mm knot-free solid wood whose joints are securely glued and assembled using precise stainless-steel screws. Falced edges and strong stainless-steel rails ensure robustness and easy frame-handling, while an additional pair of lower rails contribute superior stability by preventing unintended shifting of boxes. Durable handles, strategically placed on front and rear hive box walls, assure safe lifting and superior maneuverability.

Compatibility and Flexibility

The D. Liebig hive design supports various beekeeping methods through flexible adaptation, merging advantages of both falced and non-falced boxes for easier handling and transportation. These Zander hives are also conveniently compatible with standard twelve-frame Normalmaß hive adjustments and allow usage of the larger ZaDant brood-box variant for specialized configurations.

Sustainable Maintenance and Care

Protective Treatment

All our parts and hive structures come untreated without protective coating. Therefore, we recommend applying suitable paints, oils, or varnishes to extend durability and maximize resistance against weather conditions. Remember to lightly sand surfaces between coatings for optimal wood protection.

Prevention of Interior Humidity

Once colonized by bees, hives naturally create an internal microclimate differing significantly from their external environment, occasionally resulting in moisture condensation under hive lids that may encourage mold or wood cracking. We suggest placing hives slightly elevated using stands and removing lower sealing boards seasonally to stimulate ideal air circulation and moisture control especially after Varroa control measures.

Recommended Literature and Further Information

To further understand hive management concepts and methods recommended by Dr. Gerhard Liebig, the book "Einfach Imkern" offers valuable beekeeping knowledge and practical advice specifically tailored toward efficient use of these hives.

Experience the many advantages of Zander hive systems, significantly improving the efficiency and enjoyment of your beekeeping endeavors with innovative, expert-designed solutions.

Hive Bottom Board Design

Our bottom boards feature removable Varroa control trays and entrance reducers with double openings to maintain bee colony safety, deterring pests such as field mice, and facilitating necessary natural airflow moderation.

Low-design Bottom Boards

Flat bottom boards include stainless steel screens (about 2.6 mm spacing) efficient for effective Varroa mite drop management. Suitable for hobby and professional apiarists alike, these enhance bee climate regulation, especially beneficial in colder conditions.

High-design Bottom Boards

In contrast, tall bottom boards omit crosswise rails and do not support flight boards, occasionally resulting in uncontrolled comb constructions beneath frames. These boards are best for short-term mite control treatments, particularly when applying formic acid.

Importance of Landing Boards

Our extended landing boards facilitate accessible entry even for clipped-wing queens and significantly reduce bee losses especially during unexpected adverse weather conditions.

Box Materials and Construction

Box constructions predominantly feature quality woods, including Weymouth pine or spruce, meticulously joined together using high-grade steel screws.

Honey and Brood Boxes (Zander Dadant)

Our stock includes two specialized box heights: the lightweight, honey-super boxes (166 mm height) for comfortable hive maintenance, and deeper Zander Dadant brood boxes (292 mm height) optimal for queen-rearing practices.

Partition Boards with Queen Excluder Grid (Zander)

Our innovative queen-restricted partition boards ensure the queen remains safely contained within desired brood areas. Solid wooden frames paired with robust metal grids provide reliable and efficient management within bee colonies.

Highlights:

• Quality Materials: Durable wooden frame with robust metal queen-excluder grid.
• Safe Segregation: Prevents queen access while allowing worker bees easy movement.
• Universal Usage: Compatible with both 10-frame and 12-frame hive setups for maximum hive versatility.

Partition boards assist in easily managing and optimizing brood chamber organization.

Bee Escapes

Bee escapes streamline harvesting honey supers, significantly reducing disruption and potential harm to your bees.

Various Feeding Solutions

Our feeders accommodate diverse hive requirements, providing optimal nourishment for bee colonies throughout the year.

Metal Roof Covers

Roofs crafted with stainless steel or galvanized sheet metal effectively shed rainwater and improve hive ventilation, maximizing protection against harsh climatic conditions, and stabilizing internal hive environments.

Advanced Beekeeping Technology

This comprehensive beekeeping system offers modern, adaptable, and versatile solutions suitable for varying bees and climatic zones. For more insights on using advanced technologies in hive management, consult Dr. Liebig's “Einfach Imkern” book.

Wood Care

Consistent protective maintenance coating prolongs your hive’s structural integrity, extending its usable lifespan beyond 20 years. Explore our modern Zander hive collection according to Dr. Liebig’s perspectives and enhance your beekeeping success through well-established and innovative technology.