[AmericasBeekeeper]

We have a Kenyan top bar hive at the University of South Florida for the bee workshops now. There are three pictures at http://americasbeekeeper.com/USF splits.JPG
http://americasbeekeeper.com/USF TBH.JPG
http://americasbeekeeper.com/USF TBH feeders.JPG

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

Our Kenyan Top Bar Hive has a Cordovan queen now. She is a beauty! I did not get any pictures as we / I made 24 splits and 2 package bees for the workshop before the afternoon rain. So is this the only TBH with a Cordovan lady? How many workshops teach TBH? There are nearly a hundred new beeks at the class so it is getting exposure. One of the splits was in a Tanzanian TBH.

 

[paul.h]

How do the feeders work? My top bar hives do not have access to the top for the bees. I have thought of doing something to allow access but have not done so yet.

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

leave a top bar out where you want a feeder with a 1 to 1 3/8 inch hole through the outer cover and set the feeder on top, I thought about hiring a design engineer but in the Marine Corps the best path is KISS keep it simple stupid!

 

[bigevilgrape]

How many workshops teach TBH?

We have one local guy who did a workshop last weekend. We built hives, had an instillation demo and will have some followup inspections.

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

Excellent, let us know how it turns out. I hope someone got pictures at the USF workshop.

 

[bigevilgrape]

I have some pictures here There where only 9 hives being made for that workshop. I belive he also taught another one in the morning.

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

We inspected the TBH for the first time. The new queen is laying nicely. The girls had built a little comb and superceded our beautiful Cordovan queen. I forgot to take pictures again. There will be plenty of cameras next workshop.

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

We moved a feral colony from a birdhouse to the Kenyan TBH.
http://americasbeekeeper.com/top_bar_brood.jpg
http://americasbeekeeper.com/Shaking_bees_into_TBH.jpg
http://americasbeekeeper.com/TBH_Nov.jpg

 

[tommyt]

Has the new Colony stayed put this time?

Tommyt

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

They are doing awesome as of yesterday. That is the longest we have kept a TBH at USF.

 

[mmiller]

The feeder idea is interesting....but I wonder if they will build alot of cross and burr comb with bars missing. It's an interesting idea as feeding inside like I do takes up alot of hive space. I am looking forward to seeing how this works out as they fill er up.
Please keep us posted.
Mike

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

They have not build burr comb where the bars are out for feeders yet. I add Honey B Healthy and Amino B Booster to the sugar syrup. I was mainly feeding so they would draw comb quickly (still 2:1) and build out for the Winter. They have enough so I stopped feeding. I prefer not to feed when they can work for themselves.

 

[mmiller]

I prefer not to feed when they can work for themselves.

I couldn't agree more:thumbsup:

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

Saturday is the next class. We will get in the TBH, take a look and clean up any burr comb where we do not want it. I have plenty of heavy syrup made if they need it.

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

This is the best KTBH at the Gardens yet!
http://americasbeekeeper.com/USF_Dec 004.JPG

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

Videos of the move from birdhouse to KTBH are at http://americasbeekeeper.com/USFBG_Videos.htm

 

[tommyt]

Nice set on Videos,looks like the beginning of a terrific hive. I think it will bring more folks to make them to keep in their own back yards

Tommyt

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

Thank you. Two new beekeepers took top bar hives home last year. I thought it important to teach hive management with both designs.

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

We opened the KTBH for the first time in 2011.
http://americasbeekeeper.org/Kenyan_TBH.JPG
http://americasbeekeeper.org/KTBH_burr_comb.JPG
http://americasbeekeeper.org/KTBH_Jan.JPG
A gap between the bars led to a little burr comb.