Bearsville Bees Layens 14-Frame Hive
A complete horizontal hive built for beekeepers who would rather inspect than lift. The Bearsville Bees Layens 14-Frame Hive uses deep horizontal frames in a single long box, so there are no heavy honey supers to wrestle off during inspections. It arrives with everything you need to install bees — hive body, foundation frames, and a follower board — ready to populate.
Features
- 14 deep Layens frames in a single horizontal box — twice the depth of a Langstroth deep
- True-to-nature frame geometry — mimics the comb dimensions found in tree hollows, what bees naturally want to build
- One-story horizontal layout — inspect frame-by-frame without breaking down a stack
- Comes complete — hive body, ready-to-use foundation frames, and one follower board included
- Hand-built in West Virginia by Bearsville Bees
- Designed for fewer hive disturbances — Layens hives are managed with significantly fewer interventions than vertical Langstroth setups
How it works
The Layens design works the opposite way from a stacked Langstroth. Instead of adding supers vertically as the colony grows, you give the bees a long horizontal box with deep frames. The colony expands sideways into empty frames as needed, and the follower board lets you contain a small colony to a smaller workable space until it grows. At inspection, you lift the lid and work frame-by-frame across the top — no boxes to set aside, no supers to lift off, no comb cracks to break between boxes. The maximum weight you'll lift is about 10 lb — a single fully filled honey frame.
Before you order
- In stock at Blythewood Bee Company — one unit available now, no wait.
- Ships by freight truck. Average freight cost runs $325–$400 to a commercial address without a lift gate. Residential delivery with a lift gate adds $150. Tip: arrange delivery to a local small business with a forklift and pick it up there.
- Layens frames are not compatible with standard Langstroth equipment — the deeper frame won't fit a Langstroth box, and a Langstroth deep frame won't fit a Layens box. Plan accordingly.
- Honey extraction — most standard extractors won't accommodate full-depth Layens frames. Many Layens beekeepers crush-and-strain or use a specialty extractor.
- This is a complete hive without legs. Legs or a stand are not included.
Pairs Well With
- Hive Top Feeder — for spring feeding during buildup if your local nectar flow is slow.
- Buzz Bag Nuc Transport Bag — for transporting your starter nucleus to install in the hive.
Specs
- Frame count: 14 deep Layens frames
- Frame depth: Approximately 13" wide × 16" deep (twice a Langstroth deep)
- Hive body footprint: Approximately 19" tall × 16" wide × 32" long
- Included: Hive body, foundation frames, one follower board
- Not included: Stand or legs, bees
- Maker: Bearsville Bees, Parkersburg, WV
- Shipping: Freight truck only
FAQ
How is a Layens different from a Langstroth?
A Langstroth grows vertically with stacked boxes. A Layens grows horizontally in a single long box with deeper frames. Beekeepers who want less heavy lifting, fewer hive disturbances, and a hive that more closely mimics natural tree-hollow comb often prefer the Layens.
Can I use my Langstroth frames in this hive?
No. Layens frames are significantly deeper than Langstroth deeps, and the box width is different too. Plan to use Layens frames only.
How do I harvest honey from a Layens?
Most standard radial honey extractors won't take a full-depth Layens frame. Common approaches: crush-and-strain (destroy the comb and strain the honey), use a specialty Layens-compatible extractor, or split the frame into pieces that fit a standard extractor. Most Layens beekeepers harvest once a year in fall after the last brood emerges.
Why is shipping so expensive?
This is a large, heavy, fully-assembled hive that won't fit in a standard parcel carrier (UPS, FedEx ground) box, so it ships LTL freight. The freight cost depends on your delivery address, lift-gate requirement, and proximity to a freight terminal. We can quote your exact freight cost before you commit — just ask.
Do I need a stand?
The hive ships without legs or a stand. Most Layens beekeepers build a simple wooden stand or set the hive on cinderblocks at a comfortable working height (typically 18–24" off the ground).
