Top Bar Hive
- Oldest and most widely used
- Consists of a box with a lid.
- Bars are laid across the box under the lid.
- A box may be 42" long and contain 28 top bars.
- There is no needed for a four side frame.
- There is no foundation needed - though it may be used.
- A vertical side box is "Tanzanian" design.
- Verical sides could allow use of National frames.
- A sloping side box is "Kenyan" design.
- Sloping sides are at an angle of about 30degrees.
- Advanatges of Kenyan - sloping side design:
- Sloping sides mean the sides do not get too hot.
- Comb is more likely to hold together - there are no bracing wires.
- Extraction:
- Remove a top bar
- Cut off the comb.
- Crush the comb to break the cells.
- Strain the cob to extract the honey.
So what are the advantages?
- No need to lift heavy boxes - just a single frame.
- No need to purchase a honey extractor.
- No need for uncapping knife.
- No need for foundation.
- Less disruption to bees when you inspect a hive.
- No need for Queen excluder.
- Most "natural" way of beekeeping.
- Bees build cells the size they need.
- Easy to install isulation below the roof.
So what are the disadvantages?
- Once the hive is full there is no more space - cannot add a super.
- Winter losses tend to be higher than in National hives.
- Expensive - about £162.
- Not easy to move the populated hive - too heavy.
- Cross-combing - building comb across two or more top bars.
Further links
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