| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| Tavascarow |
Of interest to beekeepers & prospective beekeepersThis site offers a cheap alternative to conventional beekeeping.I've been keepung bees for 20 years in the conventional ways (Nationals, WBC etc). Gave this a good looking over & was very impressed. http://www.biobees.com/ Not for those with commercial intent but for a backyarder who only wants to run a few colonies & who is on a tight budget ideal. 
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| Jamanda |
There's a couple of these at our apiary. They do look interesting. | ||
| lottie |
I noticed last week that Thornes have started selling them but they look simple enough to make---wonder if they'll sell many?. | ||
| Tavascarow |
At £50.00 a throw (Kit form) its still a lot cheaper than a conventional set up.
You don't need frames, foundation, queen excluders or an extractor. But looking at the drawings on the above site anyone with basic skills could make one for less than a tenner. I'm going to knock one up in my spare time & next time I need to artificial swarm, house them in it instead of a conventional hive.
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| cassy |
I am really interested in top bar hives (TBH) especially as an aid to 'chemical' free/organic/permaculture beekeeping. There is some interesting research regarding using small i.e. more natural cell size to create healthier bees.
I agree, it would be excellent if you're on a tight budget, because of all the equipment you can dispense with. It might also encourage beginners who are put of by all the doom and gloom around at the minute! I'm hoping to run some TBHs alongside conventional hives for comparison. Has anyone given this a try? General links on TBHs. Overview and history of TBH. In Kenya, with nice pics. Top bar observation hive, with plans. Further management details. Modified Abbe Warre hive. Some discussion of using TBH and natural comb to help with varroa and promote bee health. Page of Beesource links inc. Dee Lusby. David Cushman Organic Honey Bee Wrangling I've got more links if people want them. 
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| gil |
@ cassy : there are quite a lot of current, imminent and potential beekeepers on here, so I should think more links would be really useful. | ||
| joanne |
I'm very interested in top bar hives - I wanted to do a couple of years using conventional methods to get my confidence then begin by moving to Small Cell Foundation then TBH's | ||
| sally_in_wales |
I'd love to try top bar hives, wax is as important to me as honey and this method looks a good way to ensure a decent wax crop. Got to recolonise the main hives though after losing them this winter, dunno if thats going to happen this season or not at the rate I'm going | ||
| cassy |
More links.
Brief info from Dorset Beekeepers Long hive at Blackhorse Apiaries Alternative hive designs from Beesource In North Carolina Nice clear pics of the comb inside the hive 
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| Tavascarow |
Thank you cassy.
This one has got me hooked. http://www.bwrangler.com/bee/index.html
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| rhyddid |
Re: Of interest to beekeepers & prospective beekeepers
I bought the book. It's very interesting reading! |
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| Treacodactyl |
The current Permaculture magazine (PM61) has an article about the Warre hive and the next one will details on making and running one. Looks ideal for what we want to do, and by strange coincidence I saw a swam of bees fly over the garden this week.
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