Top Bar Hives Downunder?

squidink · 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

bernsad · 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.

squidink · 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.

bernsad · 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?

squidink · 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.

bernsad · August 08, 2012, 06:31:00 PM

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

squidink · 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.

Wonga · 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?

Lone · 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

squidink · 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! ;-)

Gary and Margaret - kiwimana · 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.

Pete · 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?)

squidink · 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

squidink · 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.