I was browsing through the forums at www.biobees.com when I came across a link to a time lapse movie showing a colony which had been put into a top bar bee hive. Over one week 11,000 pictures were taken and put together to form this movie. Its an amazing sight watching the colony building completely natural combs. At one point you can clearly see them forming chains which is believed to be how they gauge distance and size for construction.
I have recently heard that the BBKA are considering covering the Top Bar Hive as part of the basic bee keeping training courses. I for one was very happy to hear this news as the humble top bar hive has been used for thousands of years compared to all of the "framed" hives.
Top Bar Bee Keeping
Inside a Top Bar Hive
(June to August)
Sunday 22 August 2010 - (FDBKA Only) - You may be able to take a closer look at a Top Bar Hive when we visit Sam's apiary in August. Both hives were populated with in about 30 days of each other in spring and it will be interesting to see the difference in expansion.
