As a neophyte beekeeper, I enjoy seeing photo's of hives that I am interested in. As there are not a lot of pics nor information on Tanzanian Top Bar Hives (horizontal hives/long box hives/ etc.), I thought I would share mine.
I wanted to be able to transfer my frames from the nucs I bought directly into this hive. So my dimensions had to fit accordingly. I was going to go with a box type front and then have it morph into a kenyan top bar hive. But I listened to Michael Bush and went this route instead. I'm glad I did as it was a heck of a lot easier to make.
Although there are drawbacks to having such a long bar (19"), there are also some benifits. I can interchange frames with langstroth hives, or with an adjustment to my lid, I could add supers or other boxes above.
I went with old wood so that it has that rustic look. I sanded and cleaned up the insides and left the outside looking like it does. I think it looks a lot nicer in this location this way.
The lid has plywood and then the metal. The overhang in front is mostly because the metal sheet was that size and I didn't have to cut anything. But it should keep the weather off of their front deck.
I wanted to be able to transfer my frames from the nucs I bought directly into this hive. So my dimensions had to fit accordingly. I was going to go with a box type front and then have it morph into a kenyan top bar hive. But I listened to Michael Bush and went this route instead. I'm glad I did as it was a heck of a lot easier to make.
Although there are drawbacks to having such a long bar (19"), there are also some benifits. I can interchange frames with langstroth hives, or with an adjustment to my lid, I could add supers or other boxes above.
I went with old wood so that it has that rustic look. I sanded and cleaned up the insides and left the outside looking like it does. I think it looks a lot nicer in this location this way.
The lid has plywood and then the metal. The overhang in front is mostly because the metal sheet was that size and I didn't have to cut anything. But it should keep the weather off of their front deck.