2 Mostly Bush Farms Style Top Bar Hives w/ Photos

[mrnewberry]

I've just about got two Kenyan Top Bar Hives finished up. Just have to add a few screws for long term durability.





We went off of the Bush Farms instructions except that I added some holes and my Dad who is the wood worker between the two of us insisted we bevel the two angled boards to make them fit up tighter.





That is my son putting in the top bars. Now I am planing on putting up on cinder blocks and moving them a bit into the tree line to hide them from view.

[Delta Bay]

Nice!
I can't tell from the pic and if you don't have a 1/4" spacer at the entrance end of the hive you should in my opinion. The main reason is to be able to pop the spacer out for a little wiggle room to get the first comb out for quick inspection and management reasons. It will make it easier than needing to go through 20 or so combs to get into the core brood nest nearer the front of the hive. There will be times when it will be necessary.

[rtoney]

You may already plan on this but I would put about 3 2x2 riser boards on top of your top bars and under your cover board to prevent moisture problems.

[Nantom670]

Nice looking TBH but I am wondering if you are through with your outer cover? Of course you may have it backed off this one side. If not, what is going to keep the rain out? Looks like you have a nice helper who is eager to learn.

[mrnewberry]

Nice!
I can't tell from the pic and if you don't have a 1/4" spacer at the entrance end of the hive you should in my opinion. The main reason is to be able to pop the spacer out for a little wiggle room to get the first comb out for quick inspection and management reasons. It will make it easier than needing to go through 20 or so combs to get into the core brood nest nearer the front of the hive. There will be times when it will be necessary.

Sounds like a good idea to me.

[mrnewberry]

Nice looking TBH but I am wondering if you are through with your outer cover? Of course you may have it backed off this one side. If not, what is going to keep the rain out? Looks like you have a nice helper who is eager to learn.

This is the cover. It is a little off to the other side and top bars aren't all centered. (That's how it goes when a three year old puts them on.) But, it is about the width of the top bars.

[mrnewberry]

You may already plan on this but I would put about 3 2x2 riser boards on top of your top bars and under your cover board to prevent moisture problems.

I haven't heard of that. I'll have to look into it.

[rtoney]

Also you want to make sure your hive is level level not Ozark level (personal experence)

[mrnewberry]

Also you want to make sure your hive is level level not Ozark level (personal experence)

My place definitely has a lean to it as well.

[Michael Bush]

I don't know why I can't talk people out of drilling holes in their equipment...

[mrnewberry]

I don't know why I can't talk people out of drilling holes in their equipment...

I was/am undecided on going with the holes (Which I did place towards the top.) or leaving a gap. Since I had help and it was time to build I figured I could cork the holes if I decided to go that route easier than I could add holes once they were in place. That being said I have quite enjoyed your site. Thanks for all the effort it must have taken to create!

[Michael Bush]

When it gets wet the bars will swell. Then you'll have to take the spacer out or push the end off. Then they will shrink and you will have a gap either way.

[Baldursson]

I don't know why I can't talk people out of drilling holes in their equipment...

You have succeeded in talking me out of drilling holes. I am finishing mine up soon and will post pics. I am leaving a .5 inch gap between the end and where I start the first top bar. I am going to use a couple nails to hold the lid up as well as give a consistent place to park the first bar. Will I need to manufacture an entrance reducer for that gap? Also the bees will basicall leave the space above the top bars alone?

[Michael Bush]

>Will I need to manufacture an entrance reducer for that gap? Also the bees will basicall leave the space above the top bars alone?

I don't have an entrance reducer for it. I suppose I could lay a board half way across... no need to manufacture anything, but I haven't needed one. The gap is only a foot wide or so and up high enough that mice can't get in and the skunks leave you alone.

[Adam Foster Collins]

When it gets wet the bars will swell. Then you'll have to take the spacer out or push the end off. Then they will shrink and you will have a gap either way.

I've never had this problem, as I find there is always a little space after the follower. I never build the boxes with a "perfect fit" for a number of bars, but always with a bit of play allowance at the end. If the bars swell, there's room to move. I think a common mistake when people build their first tbh is to make things too tight (for example comb guides which are cut to perfectly meet the side walls, etc.) Then in use, with moisture, wax and propolis, you find things don't fit anymore.

Plus, if you build more than one hive, and you don't have any play in the design, things don't fit from one hive to the next.

Adam

[Delta Bay]

If you put an awning just above your drilled upper entrance it will give the bees a place to beard when they do and mostly keep them from doing so on the underside of the roof. Not that it is all that important just that they can remain undisturbed if you need to do an inspection at the same time. Not a necessity but more important to do with a telescoping cover.

The follower board is a very handy piece of equipment and well worth taking the time to make and use one.

[SteveBee]

That's nice looking hive, but I thought the main purpose of using Michael Bush's design was to use the top entrance, and as he says, not drill holes in the sides or ends. I went way overboard building mine with the attic-style roof, but I was copying one I bought. Any more we build will have the spacer at the end of the bars for a top entrance and a flat roof with no spacers. But it is a nice hive.

SORRY ABOUT THAT,,,I POSTED MY COMMENT WITHOUT READING THE 2ND PAGE.

[Michael Bush]

>I've never had this problem, as I find there is always a little space after the follower.

I never got around to making a follower...

[rtoney]

I just left space at the top of the hive and it works good.

[Heartspark]

I don't know why I can't talk people out of drilling holes in their equipment...

You mean you did not know bees have power drills and do it in the wild themselves? :P