Question for Anyone That Keeps a TBH...

[Apis629]

I'm debating about putting the next hive of bees I get into a top bar hive.  Granted I don't care about maximum honey yeild I just want to see the natural form of a brood nest.  I've read about two types of TBHs(KTBH and TTBH) and I was wondering if the angle of a KTBH really reduces brace comb.  I was also wondering if anyone had a prefered depth and/or length for their TBHs. Thanks.

[Michael Bush]

>I was wondering if the angle of a KTBH really reduces brace comb.

Not at all.

> I was also wondering if anyone had a prefered depth and/or length for their TBHs.

With square sides, 19" bars (the size of a langstroth) and 10 1/8" depth (9 5/8" + 3/4" is the same  as a Langsroth deep on a 3/4" bottom board) the combs all collapses on me.  Like a row of dominoes.  ALL the combs collapsed.  With 10 1/8" depth 15" bars and sloped sides I've only ever had one comb collapse.

With square sides, 19" bars and 7 1/2" depth, I've had the same luck as the KTBH.  Less depth seemed to prevent the comb collapse problems.  You still have to be careful, of course, but they don't go down like a row of dominoes.

Pcitures of both of mine are here:

www.bushfarms.com