Basic Question on TBH

[John Schneider]

Hey everyone...I have a question. Being new to beekeeping...what are the basic advantages to TBH's? Why would I consider building TBH's as opposed to just purchasing regular hives bodies etc. at the co-op? Thanks in advance.

John

[artic]

I’ll pass along just a few advantages and disadvantages, as I’m new too this also. I’m sure some of the more experienced keepers here will chime in also.

Advantage
</font> Cheap Construction, TBHs can often be made from scrap wood and other cheap alternatives.</font> Greater Wax harvesting</font> Natural comb can help against mites (I may be wrong on this point)</font> Produces large comb honey by default</font> Hive maintenance is considered more organic (let the bees do it)</font> No Heavy lifting (supers filled with honey do horrible things to a back)</font> Easier to spot check the hive</font> Hives can often be worked with less smoke than a equivalently populated Langstroth hive. (some keepers claim an easier temperament on the part of the bees)</font> TBHs don’t become top heavy with honey.</font>
Disadvantage
</font> Lack of informative material when compared to Langstroth design</font> Fewer beekeepers keep TBHs and therefore fewer have knowledge that you may seek.</font> Modest honey production</font> Comb may be difficult to keep strait</font> May be difficult to ventilate in warm zones</font> No design standard, so parts may not be interchangeable</font>
This obviously is not the say all to be all of list but it is a starting point. Not having worked either type of hive myself yet this is all based on what I have read or heard from other keepers.

With all that said and done, I’m intending to start of with a Langstroth as my first hive and have a Top Bar as my second.

[MIKI]

The greatest thing about a TBH is that they allow you to experiment with whatever wild ideas you want to try without having to take out a loan. From honey harvesting to feeders whatever you can build and put in the hive.

There is more information than you may think on the net about TBH's seems they have been around for centuries just do a search.

The most important part is to have fun and learn.

[Michael Bush]

artic pretty much covered it.