I am really becoming fascinated with this beekeeping craft. Problem is, I'm not encumbered by "conventional" wisdom, but there is little support amongst the locals or the popular literature for adventuring. I'm intrigued by top-bar hives, different hive configurations, organic(no mite treatment pesticides)beekeeping. I'm torn between the "safe" and the "sorry." I can get plenty of "help" and encouragement from the locals, including my state bee-inspector compadre, as long as we're talking Langstroth systems. I find little interest expressed by anyone around here concerning "thinking outside the box," literally. Maybe I should pursue parallel courses, instead of an either/or?
Go visit the equipment and hardware forum on this site. There's a good long thread on top bar hivekeeping. I have one TBH and find it the most interesting to observe and to work.
>Maybe I should pursue parallel courses, instead of an either/or?
That would be what I would do. If you invest everything in a direction that you decide isn't for you then it's more difficult to back out. I always have had a lot of experiments going on with my bees. Just when I was out of ideas I found this board.
I would probably start first with 2 Langstroth hives, as most info is designed for them. Plus, if you decide you don't want to continue this wonderful hobby, the Langstroth hives might be easier to sell. (although all you TBH people will disagree) The learning curve the first couple years is so steep, that I would recommend the basics (Langstroth) before I tried the advanced (TBH) Start with the chem free principles, and advance from there. If you start with too many variables, it gets harder to determine what works.
I started out like you with mixed feelings. I joined my local club and know one wanted to think outside of the "Lang" box or treatment methods. So I have two Langstroth hives and every time I do hive inspections I wish I had a TBH, I just never have got around to making one. From the begining I didn't like working the Langs. I started asking my Grandmother how her dad kept bees and That started my TBH research. After following this topic I plan to go with TBH next season. Before you buy equipment go work with one of the lang hive folks in your area and see if you like it.
I started this year with two used Langstroth hives and I'm glad I did. Pretty idiot proof for beginners, gosh knows I've dones some silly stuff. Also, it's easier to get parts for them online.
Then start looking into other systems such as the TBH, or an observation hive, to expand your horizons. But first things first, you have to get going and get "into" the bees so to speak. No easier way than picking up the most common equipment.
I'll tell you what I WOULDN'T do. I wouldn't build a bunch of top bar hives and then six month later when I know how I WISH I'd built them I have to build a bunch more and cut the comb to fit and transfer them all.... You get the idea. I'd start with the Langs and then I'd build a TBH and see what you think of it. I just tore one down and transfered it to frames because of problems. I've had TBHs in the past but was trying the straight walled ones this time and didn't like them, at least at that depth. Combs kept falling off of the bars onto the bottom board. I will probably do another one next year with a different design and sloped sides.
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