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Author Topic: TB horizontal hive design Qs  (Read 3882 times)

Offline Yappy

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TB horizontal hive design Qs
« on: September 24, 2009, 05:56:16 pm »
I am just newbee and read lots of posts, lots of places but may have missed answer if already given.
 I am about to construct my 1st TB horizontal hive design.
Background:
I have the tools and skill to build a STD Hive, but the 4 foot TBH appeals more.
I live in a city that allows max of 4 hives on my size of lot. Backyard about 65 x 60ft.
Climate, rain 75 to 80" per year, mostly  late fall thru spring. Temp is moderate:  -17F. 1 week rest of winter maybe below freezing 4 weeks straight, then zero +/- 4 weeks. Summer highs can hit 100 F. but mostly 70 to 80 F.
Some questions to members that use these style hives, if you please.
Q1. Climate, anyone else have long periods of cold wet, do you insulate?
Q2. Entrance at top or base?
Q3. Number of TBH hives you have and how many survived?
Q4. Honey/wax Produced per TBHH ? and if you also have STD. or other design hives in same area how do tey compare?
Sorry to be so deep, and thanks ahead.

Offline ArmucheeBee

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2009, 09:48:23 pm »
I built a Kenyan TB and have tried to hive two swarms in it.  Neither would build from the TBs and they left!!!!   One was a really big swarm and I was feeding them within the hive.  Hated loosing those.  Mine has the sloping sides.  So this weekend I am dismantling it and building it to hold a standard frame.  I may make mine for med. frames as that is what I use in the other 6 hives.  I like the idea of a horizontal hive for the ease of inspecting and not crushing several dozen workers putting boxes back together.  I like to watch my bees and "inspect".  So it will be an experiment for me.  My main concern is what kind of top to put on it since I'll use standard frames.  I'll also put in some TB for some natural comb after it gets going next spring. 
Stephen Stewart
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Offline Yappy

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2009, 10:40:53 pm »
Too bad they left. Did you have any lure/ comb in the TBH before the bees?
About the roof, if you use med. frames, I see 3 choices,
1. solid top panel directly on the frames
2. 3/8" spacer around the edge under the solid top
3. another SUPER over the TBH over those frames with its normal lid.
Please keep in mind I am Newbee so these are just thoughts!

Offline ArmucheeBee

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2009, 01:42:18 pm »
neither lurer nor brood.  did not have any builtout TB comb--that was a problem, but in swarms they are ready to build from scratch anyway.

since I have plenty of side board from the KTB, I can recess the frames down 3/8 below the edge and use a solid cover.  my box is about 42 in.  I may use 2-3 covers instead of one big one or i could make covers the size of supers I want then remove covers to add supers.  check out mike bushe's site for long boxes.  I assume people use Q-excluders when they put the super on.
Stephen Stewart
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"You don't need a license to drive a sandwich."  SpongeBob Squarepants

Offline Yappy

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2009, 04:12:34 pm »
Stephen, thanks for that input I have learned a lot more from all of these forms then books.
I will post pictures of my Hive/s after building. I was not going to recess for frames but just add a trim board on outside of sides to same height as the top of TBars.
My hive design is a hybrid 1 board vertical and a double at an angle (each sides). {gee gotta build and take pic }.
 I was thinking Medium super Honey frames could fit within. (for flexibility). I do not object if bees hang more nice comb from bottom of these too. Of course if they go honey getting crazy a super could go above too. { i can dream ! }
You're right, "I may use 2-3 covers instead of one big one". I will change previous thought of one big to 2 STD wides and 1 Nuc covers.
 I do not have any brood or comb but was planning bees wax rubbed inside and some members said lemon oil or grass?
 "check out mike bushe's site for long boxes." Had a look at his - top marks to him and his site too. I will be sure to PM him soon. 

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2009, 06:02:17 pm »
>Q1. Climate, anyone else have long periods of cold wet, do you insulate?

I sometimes put a sheet of styrofoam on the lid.

>Q2. Entrance at top or base?'

I've tried both.  All are top now because of skunks and mice.

>Q3. Number of TBH hives you have and how many survived?

Two.  I've had between two and four for several years now.  They survive about the same rate as the Langstroth hives, which is to say sometimes you lose one.

>Q4. Honey/wax Produced per TBHH ?

I never measured it.  My guess is not much.  It doesn't take much wax to support a lot of honey.

> and if you also have STD. or other design hives in same area how do tey compare?

I have to (and often don't have time to) pay more frequent attention to the horizontal hives (and TBHs fit this as well) or they swarm.  But assuming I do my job, I think they are close to the same production in a standard hive that has to draw it's comb (foundationless) and has no drawn comb to store honey in.
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Offline Yappy

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2009, 06:35:14 pm »
Thanks Mike, so your TBH hives are top entrances.
Do you also use only top entrances on STD Hives?
and I saw somewhere else that you(?) had tired Cedar Sides and they spilt.
Did you use 3/4" Mat'l? I was thinking 5/4" Red Cedar Deck planks.
Hope extra thickness stronger and Insulates naturally.   

Offline ArmucheeBee

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2009, 10:08:32 pm »
Hey Fireguy

Have you ever been out on Vancouver Island to see the Marmots?  Wierd question, I know, but I like the marmots!!   Been to Vancouver for a couple of days, beautiful, would be a great homeplace.   I imagine the beeking might be difficult with the wet and cold?
Stephen Stewart
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2009, 10:23:32 pm »
>Thanks Mike, so your TBH hives are top entrances.

Yes.

>Do you also use only top entrances on STD Hives?

Yes.

>and I saw somewhere else that you(?) had tired Cedar Sides and they spilt.

They are ok.  But cedar is expensive and splits more than pine and has no other advantages unless you are making bottoms or stands or covers that will get a lot of weather and are in places prone to rot.

>Did you use 3/4" Mat'l?

I used scrap cedar siding and scrap closet cedar.  All was 3/4" yes.

> I was thinking 5/4" Red Cedar Deck planks.

There is nothing wrong with cedar, but I can't see the purpose in spending the money for it.

>Hope extra thickness stronger and Insulates naturally.   

So would two by pine for less money.
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
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Offline Yappy

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2009, 04:46:01 am »
ArmucheeBee, yes have been on Vancouver Island, nice visits but didn't see the Marmots.
BC is a great homeplace. Sorry if I misled anyone, My zone is Very Moderate not at all "the great Frozzen North eh, that's another 1,000- 1,500 miles. But everyone,s praying for Snow (for the 2010 O. Games here, some events about 10 minutes distance).
>  I imagine the beeking might be difficult with the wet and cold? <
 I'll let you know. Got invited to the,
Fall Educational Symposium
At Campbellā€™s Gold Honey Farm and Meadery
On Current Beekeeping Issues, next Saturday.

Offline Yappy

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Re: TB horizontal hive design Qs
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2009, 05:09:14 am »
Mike, Your point re: pine vs Cedar, I will be going back to recheck costs.
Today decided to put my 1st hive in garden shed so weather not great problem.
Bonus is that out of sight, etc. Wife sure did not want it on our bedroom deck!
And I can hopefully surprise the neighbors, with gifts of Honey.