> 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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