It's been frightfully cold and windy for weeks on end which has provided plenty of opportunity for indoor project work. Hubby has been busy making top bar hives for our property. I have requested 2 packages of bees but am attempting to catch at least one swarm (2 would be amazing). It's too early yet for such theatrics, but I'm getting ready for when the time comes.
Here's a good look at the top bars (this one is actually upside down - the flat side goes up and the triangle tip points down into the hive).
If you look in the picture below, you'll see how the bees attach and run comb from the tip down. Again, this picture shows the bar upside down. The comb would be formed DOWNWARD into the hive as the bars rest on top of the hive walls.
Here's a good pictures to show you how the top bars sit and how the comb runs DOWN into the hive.
We need quite a few bars if we plan to have 2 hives and possibly supers for each one so hubby's been making lots of bars. He bought 2x2" fir stock and cut it himself - plenty of angles!
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Here's a picture of the follower board (used to compress the hive/guide development).
And the top bars being placed...
Side view with the window placed - I'm so excited to watch the bees at work! Note that the window will be covered when we aren't actively checking on progress inside.
I need to prime and paint the exteriors and Kelly's currently making the lids (2 standard and 2 with queen excluders to facilitate supering). Still lots to do, but we ARE inching closer thanks to my amazingly talented and patient husband :)
*******Edited to add*******
I've been asked quite a bit about the choice to build Top Bar Hives vs. using a Langstroth Hive. Truthfully, because we have not yet kept bees, I have no personal experience on which to draw from. I only have my permaculture education/training and my experience in the garden to reflect upon. Right angles aren't found typically in nature, whereas The Golden Mean IS found all over the natural world in every living thing, in particular, bee comb! It only makes sense to create an environment for the bees that is patterned off shapes found in the natural world. The bees will teach us a great deal and we are more than ready to learn.
What an interesting project....I am so impressed with you and hubby! Keep us updated so we might enjoy your success !!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Meggie :) We know that we have a steep learning curve ahead of us, though. I'm a little nervous, but hey, we have to start somewhere! We've procrastinated long enough - time to just do it!
DeleteWow! I think your kids are so lucky to have parents that support each other's ideas and work toward common goals. It is truly inspiring and you should pat yourselves on the back ;) You are giving your family much more than just fresh honey!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words. My hubby gets all the credit on this project! I took the course and bought the plans…. he is the one making it happen, though :) My husband can make anything - he's just one of those guys who can make/do anything he sets his mind to. We make a good team because our skill sets are totally different - we cover vastly different areas of responsibility in our homestead, but we complement one another well :)
DeleteNext time our dear neighbour, beekeeper-extraordinaire, John (aged 97) comes to visit, I must show him this. He will be fascinated by your joint project.
ReplyDeleteGosh, I'd like to spend time with your neighbour! Imagine what he could teach me... such wisdom at 97, I'd bet :)
DeleteVery cool! I wish I had some carpentry skills. Bees are so fascinating!
ReplyDeleteThey sure are :) One day, I'd like to learn carpentry - I have so many ideas in my head and it would be nice to make them happen without burdening my dear hubby!
ReplyDeleteOh I wish I could build things like that!! I can't even hang a picture straight on the wall ;) I saw our bees buzzing today, and the beekeeper said they're doing great, making it through the flooding and a very cold winter. I'm so glad and relieved.
ReplyDeleteThat would be so exciting for you to catch a swarm!
-Jaime
Lovely. I've always admired folks with carpentry skills.
ReplyDeleteThank you, kindly. My hubby is pretty awesome - he's self taught and can build just about anything. I'm a lucky gal :)
DeleteMy husband is building a top bar hive for me but I can not figure out how to cut the triangular top bars. Would you please answer some questions for me.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the dimensions of the triangular top bars? What are the angles of the triangle? What is the process of cutting the top bars?
Thank you.
Hi there. Sorry for the delay in replying. Each piece of wood for a top bar starts out at 1 3/8" square. From that, the 2 side cuts of the triangle are 35.5 deg. and they are cut on a table saw.
DeleteThe ends of each bar are also cut on an angle starting at 1" in from the outside end. That angle is cut at 45 deg.
If you google top bar hive plans, you should find some free online. :)
Hope this helps.
This looks amazing! I'm going to give keeping bees a try one day and I'll make my own top bar hive like yours to do it in! Your have to keep us posted on how much honey you get fromthem over the next few years to see if it pays for itself or not.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kev :)
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