Kirk Webster 4-Way Mating nucs

[prakel]

I'm calling these Kirk Webster mating nucs although I believe that he took the idea from Br Adam who in turn quite probably lifted the idea from J M Davis of Tennessee. At any rate, Davis was using these boxes prior to 1920.

The configuration is a standard brood box divided into 4 compartments which take half length frames.

Now, my (first) question. Is anyone here using this kind of hive for queen mating? If so I'd welcome feedback/suggestions.

[The Drone Ranger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA3yiNoAh4o
are they something like the ones in this vid?
actually they are not because you said a standard box into 4 but might be similar

[prakel]

DR, yes, same thing. They are 4s -at least, they will be by the end of the video.

[Greengage]

Saw these on an Irish website are they the same thing.
http://www.irishbeesupplies.com/QUEEN_REARING/cat1800429_1752064.aspx

[prakel]

Hi Greengage, no not the same, although the principle isn't dissimilar. The Webster boxes are made from standard brood boxes, divided, rather than a special box. It's just something which has been going through my mind recently. A way of increasing mating hives at the lowest possible cost while retaining a reasonable sized comb area to allow the queen opportunity to mature before using her elsewhere.