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Colony Development in TBH
It is commonly known that swarm will develop quickly in small space, in TBH maybe even better than in conventional hives. Freedom that bees have in Top Bar Hives to build their own comb without frames and foundation is in my opinion positive factor in colony development.Swarm that I catched on my Quince tree is "listening" to me. They are booming. Activity is very high. Small space with only 12 top bars suits them well and queen is laying eggs through the whole hive and nectar gathering is in high speen.
The way is pure white. See the honey patch on top of the combs. This one will sure be put into bigger, productive Top Bar Hive next year.
TBH Beeyard Swarm Catching
10am in the morning. Bees are becoming more and more active. They are preparing to swarm. The old queen along with half of the bees in the hive will leave the hive and establish themselves in nature. Here is where I come in. Will try to catch them and hive them into small TBH.Video of the bees swarming :
Quince tree is suitable they think :)
After I collected the swarm small Top Bar Hive was waiting to get populated by bees.
Bees are in Top Bar Hive :
Closing the Hive :
We leave them alone now so that they can establish new home in their new Top Bar Hive.
Top Bar Hives in my Beeyard
Time passed from latest post on this web site and in the meanwhile my beeyard is expanding. Now there are 5 top bar hives and 2 frame hives all healthy and full of bees. Robinia pseudoacacia also known as Black Locust is in full bloom and you can smell it in the evening. What a beautiful smell that is. Hoping for nice amount of honey this year since bees are making and filling comb like crazy.
After I experimented on top bar hives designs I settled with Bush bees Kenyan top bar hive. It is of simple design, big enough and very easy to make. I recommend everyone who is interested in hobby, small scale beekeeping to try top bar hives. You will never look back and you will enjoy beekeeping in full.