New guy starting withTop Bar Hives

[WestTexasBeeKeeper]

Howdy,

I'm getting ready to build some Top Bar Hives and have a few questions, mostly to do with placement of the hives.

I had read somewhere that the hives need the morning sun but need shade the rest of the day. Here in West Texas the trees are few; only alot of West Texas Weeds aka Mesquite trees. Is having the daytime shade a necessity? or will they do ok?

I have 5 acres here and plan on putting 5 TBH's in the back corner.

Is there a minimum space I need to consider with hive placement?

Last but not least, are there any good resource books that focus on TBH's?


Thanks in advance


Bob

[Walt B]

Michael Bush's web site is always a good source of information. Here's the link for Top Bar Hives.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beestopbarhives.htm

Walt

[Hambone]

I had read somewhere that the hives need the morning sun but need shade the rest of the day. Here in West Texas the trees are few; only alot of West Texas Weeds aka Mesquite trees. Is having the daytime shade a necessity? or will they do ok?

They will do just fine. My hives get 8-10 hours of direct sun. Face the entrance east/southeast.

Oh and those Mesquite trees might be a good honey producer for you next spring.

Is there a minimum space I need to consider with hive placement?

You can pretty much set them up side by side. (long ways)

[WestTexasBeeKeeper]

They will do just fine. My hives get 8-10 hours of direct sun. Face the entrance east/southeast.

Oh and those Mesquite trees might be a good honey producer for you next spring.

Thanks for the tip. BTW, the three thing we dont have a shortage of are sun, wind and Mesquite

You can pretty much set them up side by side. (long ways)

That's what I was hoping. I want to set them just far enough apart to be able to work them

Off to the lumber yard!!


Bob

[LenInNorCal]

Before working them and setting them up make sure you leave enough space between the hives to stand AND put things down near where you are standing. I put mine too close and now wish them to be about 5' apart. Oh, and I am glad I made all top bars the same length as I do interchange them from hive to hive, but like Mr. Bush I will make my bars in the future the same dimension as a langstroth. Live 'n learn.