I built this top bar hive last year and wanted to run a couple of ideas by you all.
(1) Feeder - I made a feeder that is just like a top feed on a langstroth hive. I have have a bar with a 3/4" slot throughout the middle, have a pins for alignment. Modified from bee keeping for dummies top feeder plan. There are screen inside to ack as ladders. When I'm done feeding, I remove the bar and insert a regular bar. All fits under the closed lid. Location of feeder is adjustable betweens bars 7-23
(2) Ventilation - I have heard a lot about venting the hive in the middle of summer. I made a roller board with a vent in the top of it that vents into the attic. In the eaves are two 1 1/2" round screened holes that can be opened or closed. My thought is the air will come in through the entrance of the hive, work it's way to the back of the hive, heat rises so it should go up the vent, and if I have the eave vent opposite the entrance I should get so venting to prevent condensation.
(3)Patty feeder - don't know if I'll use this but wanted to built it before the bees went in. I can fill the screened cavity with patties and drop it in where I need to.
Disclaimer: bee kind, I know nothing about bees except what I have read, I plan on doing it natural and only plan to feed to get them started. I love wood working and that's why all the extras. I look forward to your kind feed back.
Blessing
Eric


(1) Feeder - I made a feeder that is just like a top feed on a langstroth hive. I have have a bar with a 3/4" slot throughout the middle, have a pins for alignment. Modified from bee keeping for dummies top feeder plan. There are screen inside to ack as ladders. When I'm done feeding, I remove the bar and insert a regular bar. All fits under the closed lid. Location of feeder is adjustable betweens bars 7-23


(2) Ventilation - I have heard a lot about venting the hive in the middle of summer. I made a roller board with a vent in the top of it that vents into the attic. In the eaves are two 1 1/2" round screened holes that can be opened or closed. My thought is the air will come in through the entrance of the hive, work it's way to the back of the hive, heat rises so it should go up the vent, and if I have the eave vent opposite the entrance I should get so venting to prevent condensation.
(3)Patty feeder - don't know if I'll use this but wanted to built it before the bees went in. I can fill the screened cavity with patties and drop it in where I need to.

Disclaimer: bee kind, I know nothing about bees except what I have read, I plan on doing it natural and only plan to feed to get them started. I love wood working and that's why all the extras. I look forward to your kind feed back.
Blessing
Eric
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