Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => DOWN UNDER BEEKEEPING => Topic started by: squidink on August 01, 2012, 08:26:00 am

Title: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: squidink on August 01, 2012, 08:26:00 am

Out of interest does anyone down under have a top bar hive?

I'm in the process of making one all ready for spring time. The small gap in the bottom middle
I shall cover with mesh to allow for a bit of ventilation. More updated photo's as it progresses..


Ben

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/prodigydiscus78/IMG_0130.jpg)

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: bernsad on August 01, 2012, 10:15:51 pm

I don't have one but I'm interested in your progress. If you have time the odd photo update would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: squidink on August 02, 2012, 08:10:53 pm

all painted!

Due to the size i am going to make it a 2 hive top bar hive.
I shall divide it in the middle.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/prodigydiscus78/IMG_1593.jpg)

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/prodigydiscus78/IMG_1592.jpg)

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: bernsad on August 03, 2012, 07:11:38 pm

Looks very nice, I can't wait to see it in action now. How are you going to introduce bees into it?

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: squidink on August 08, 2012, 06:19:13 pm

Good question! I'm thinking 2 swarms will be the way to go!!
Short of that I will add a few pounds of bees from a strong hive
and a new queen.

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: bernsad on August 08, 2012, 06:31:00 pm

Two swarms and let the queens duke it out, or seperate them one at each end?

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: squidink on August 08, 2012, 07:29:49 pm

I will separate them to each end. Its hard to see in the photo but this hive is massive! I should have made it smaller.

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: Wonga on August 10, 2012, 01:41:12 am

I'm interested in top bar hives, although my two hives are langstroth style. Good looking kenyan style top bar hive there - did you consider a warre hive at all?

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: Lone on August 10, 2012, 02:15:15 am

It looks good.  If it doesn't work out it will make a good cattle feed trough.

Lone

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: squidink on August 10, 2012, 05:29:47 am

Quote from: Wonga on August 10, 2012, 01:41:12 am

I'm interested in top bar hives, although my two hives are langstroth style. Good looking kenyan style top bar hive there - did you consider a warre hive at all?

I did think about a warre but this I can leave and not have to check as regularly.

Each side will have 28 top bars. I should have made it smaller.

Lone I was thinking a pig feed trough! ;-)

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: Gary and Margaret - kiwimana on September 16, 2012, 06:33:18 pm

Hi,

We have them at the bee clubs I attend.

I am keen to get one going this season, if I can get the time to build one that is.

We will be blogging about on our blog, once we have it up and running.

We will have to use a swarm to populate it.

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: Pete on October 07, 2012, 08:49:12 am

Really awesome. did you design yourself or follow plans? If designed yourself did you take into account Phi (golden ratio?)

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: squidink on October 08, 2012, 06:05:37 pm

Hi Pete, I designed it my self. I did not know what was golden ratio was until you mentioned and I looked it up on Wikipedia! It's still a bit cool so I will wait another month before putting bees into this hive. Ben

Title: Re: Top Bar Hives Downunder?
Post by: squidink on November 02, 2012, 05:03:14 am

...a little bit closer today. I started the top bar's. I used some hot glue to attach some foundation to get the bees started when they go in.
(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f58/prodigydiscus78/IMG_2048.jpg)