Brood Boxes
Overview

Typical Langstroth Hive Parts
Brood boxes make up the brood chamber, and this is where the hive lives. It is where the queen lays her eggs and the brood is born. And during the winter, it where the hive makes its home.
The brood boxes sit above the bottom board (and the slatted rack, if you use a slatted rack).
The primary goal of the beekeeper is to always ensure the hive is strong. To do that, the honey and pollen stores in the brood chamber must be adequate for the colony to get through the winter.
How Many Boxes Make Up the Brood Chamber?
Deep |
Medium | |
Number of boxes |
1 - 2 |
1 - 3 |
What Size Boxes Are Used for the Brood Chamber?
Historically, the Langstroth hive was composed of one or two deep boxes for the brood chamber (see also, Langstroth box sizes), and medium boxes were used for the honey supers.
It is quite common these days to use medium boxes for the brood chamber.
Deep Boxes |
Medium Boxes |
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Is This Part Necessary?
Every Langstroth hive box must have at least one brood box.
Disclaimer: eMail comments to me at BeekeepingBoK @ Gmail.com. The process of beekeeping can cause injury or be a health hazard unless proper precautions are taken, including the wearing of appropriate protective equipment. |