> I get the impression (non -scientific I know!) that hives on  
naturally drawn, foundationless, comb do better than those on  
foundation-based comb.
 
As evidenced by EAS this year, and our recent  beekeeping classes, the 
growing popularity of top bar and other  foundationless hives has resulted in 
lots of glowing reports: more  'natural' beehive, bees do better, bees are 
happier, etc. 
 
So, we decided we had to see what this is all about, and set up our own top 
 bar hive last year.  I really like having it around so that we can  show 
our classes what a more natural comb looks like -- e.g., bees building in a  
log.
 
Its pretty, great for photographs.  You can also lift the lid without  any 
bees flying out.  But, in addition to the inability to extract honey  
without destroying the comb, we found some other drawbacks.
 
First, compared to packages placed in Dadant hives on foundation, this  
colony was slow growing.  At the end of two summers, it  has finally almost 
filled its space.  Our other colonies that  we started last summer were busting 
at the seams this spring.  We  extracted honey from the standard colonies 
last year, but didn't take any from  the top bar.
 
However, the top bar colony was strong enough and had sufficient  stores to 
make it through last winter - although last year was very mild for  
Montana.  We had our doubts going into the winter, but were happy to see it  that 
it survived.  I'm not sure it would have made a colder winter.  
 
Second, if one opts to treat for mites, nosema, or feed pollen or  syrup - 
you have to figure out  how to do it, since the top bar hive  we have has no 
passageways past the bars - so you  can't just put a patty,  bottle, etc. 
on the bars.  Minor point, but one that adds time  and effort, especially if 
you had a number of these hives.  And, I'm sure  some will argue, that any 
type of treatment is un-natural.
 
Third, the bees insist on bridging thr comb to the side-walls - Scott came  
up with his own tool for breaking them loose so he can pull out the frames  
to inspect.  That said, inspection is possible, so the top bar meets the  
legal requirement in our state, but it is slower -  one  has to be  careful 
to cut the combs loose, lift straight up.  Don't even think  about tipping 
the comb upside down or laying it flat to get a better look.   Anything  other 
than perpendicular and the comb starts to bends and sag and  can fall off 
onto your foot.
 
Fourth, we've tried to get the bees to tell us whether they are happier,  
but we can't decipher their comments.  We don't see any obvious   differences 
based on flight, noise, temperment. 
 
In summary, we're glad we've got it for demonstration purposes.  As a  
honey producer, you're going to have to accept smaller yields.   Even  if your 
top bar colonies grow as fast as those on standard equipment (we're  basing 
our slow growth on a sample of one), you still have to destroy comb to  
harvest honey.  Or maybe I should say, we haven't figured out a way to get  the 
honey without damaging the combs.  Since it takes several pounds of  nectar 
to build a pound of wax, that's going to reduce your long-term  yields.
 
Now, I like comb honey much  better than extracted honey  -  its not as 
sweet; and this is a way of getting  comb honey without  having  to have any 
special gear (e.g., Ross Rounds or basswood  boxes).
 
So, if you are doing this for fun, enjoy it.  
 
But, as Allen points out, frames and foundation are a compromise that  has 
a specific purpose.  I doubt that we will ever know whether bees  are 
happier building free-form comb, or drawing out  foundation.  I  don't know how to 
ask them whether they'd rather repair extracted  comb or build it all again 
from scratch.  Which is more  stressful? 
 
Cleaning and repairing extracted comb does not require a large number of  
field bees, flying to collect nectar to replace lost comb/wax.  If you  agree 
with the  notion that flight wears bees out, then removing honey  combs to 
harvest honey probably shortens the life of more foragers,  compared to bee 
colonies in hives where honey is extracted  from combs.  But maybe these 
additional foragers die happy.   Collecting nectar may be more  'fun' than 
fixing comb inside the   hive.  
 
Jerry
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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