Page 3 of 5 FirstFirst 12345 LastLast
Results 21 to 30 of 48

Thread: Time to start this one off!

  1. #21
    Banned Stromnessbees's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Orkney
    Posts
    456
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    I feel that by providing space above the broodnest we are creating an unnatural situation that the bees quickly remedy by filling it with comb. A wild colony would always start building at the top of the cavity and build downwards, there's never an empty space above their heads if left to their own devices. Thinking about it that way, the Warre has to be the most natural one, with 'supers' always added underneath the broodnest for expanding downwards. (I know they call them 'nadirs' instead of 'supers'.) (Still don't know how the Stewarton is managed.)

    Warning:
    Read the next bit only if you have had your tea already!

    There's a rather macabre story which seems to be fitting into this thread:
    During our Ghana-trip in January I heard about a taboo source of honey. It's honey from graves: Feral colonies can occupy the chest-cavity of corpses in shallow graves, possibly using the ribs as natural top bars.

    ... you have been warned,
    Doris

  2. #22
    Senior Member POPZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Isle of Mull
    Posts
    138
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    Doris. Love your story. I am sure I have heard of similar happenings with old animal carcases that have become overgrown and made excellent 'hives'. It seems that we have interesting ideas/theories regarding the TBH and similar 'natural' methods of beekeeping. I am sure that there is an element of truth in all systems, but I wonder which systems the bees themselves actually prefer?

    This is why I wish to run different systems for myself and try and compare, over a period of time and under as similar conditions as possible, which is the most beneficial for the bees, rather than man.

    So I do hope that there will be others willing to look at other forms of husbandry, and that we can compare notes. Less stress = less disease and hopefully happier ladies.

  3. #23
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Isle of Mull
    Posts
    799
    Blog Entries
    18

    Default

    Of course, the old story of the bees inhabiting a lion's carcase is too well-known to need repeating. You just have to look on a Tate & Lyle syrup/treacle tin to see how long that one's lasted!

  4. #24
    Administrator gavin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Tayside
    Posts
    4,464
    Blog Entries
    41

    Default

    "Out of the eater came forth meat and out of the strong came forth sweetness"

    I'm no biblican scholar but this seems to be The Book of Judges story of Samson and the Philistines.

    Lyle%27sGoldenSyrup..jpg

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_syrup

    drat! Too well known to be worth repeating you said Trog!

  5. #25
    Senior Member Jon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Belfast, N. Ireland
    Posts
    5,122
    Blog Entries
    94

    Default

    Popz:
    What about a whale carcass?
    Plenty of room for colony expansion there.

  6. #26
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Isle of Mull
    Posts
    799
    Blog Entries
    18

    Default

    Bleurrrgh! Can you imagine what the honey would taste like, made inside a stinky minke?

  7. #27
    Senior Member Jon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Belfast, N. Ireland
    Posts
    5,122
    Blog Entries
    94

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Trog View Post
    Bleurrrgh! Can you imagine what the honey would taste like, made inside a stinky minke?
    Well obviously I would fumigate beforehand with 80% acetic acid and take a blow torch to the rib cage to avoid any health and safety issues.

  8. #28
    Senior Member POPZ's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Isle of Mull
    Posts
    138
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default

    Doris - I don't know whether you are still there but it seems that at the words 'TBH' 'natural' 'what bees like as opposed to man(man being generic of course!!!)' and anything else that might inpinge on traditional ideas, all collapse into a heap of blethering whatnots.

    I have re-assembled my TBH today on the strength of all this and will process it out to the apiary in the very near future. So there! Hope you join me up your way?

  9. #29
    Banned Stromnessbees's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Orkney
    Posts
    456
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    Hi POPZ

    As I said before: unfortunately I'll have to restrain myself at the moment and concentrate on producing nucs in standard equipment. The TBH will be set up as a bait hive and if a swarm moves in I'll be delighted.
    If I find time I'll try to construct a Warre, too, again to be used as a bait hive.

    I hear that there is an alternative beekeeper on Mull, maybe we can get him/her to share experiences with us on this forum?

    Will keep you posted should a swarm decide to go alternative.

    Doris

  10. #30
    Senior Member Jon's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Belfast, N. Ireland
    Posts
    5,122
    Blog Entries
    94

    Default

    Popz.
    Didn't mean to be critical. I have to hold my hand up to being a blethering whatnot.
    ...But Doris started it!
    I do intend to build my own TBH this year, out of curiosity more than anything else.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •