Frame for the Kenya top-bar hive!

by Mark Luckhurst, Kenya

THE OUTSTANDING FEATURE of the Kenya top-bar hive is that it is simple and relatively cheap to make and use. Its adoption in other countries is testimony to its suitability as hive for rural beekeepers. It is largely for this reason, and due to its sloping sides, that frames for the hive have not been developed.

Because wax production may be primary objective in some countries where top-bar hives are used, centrifugal extraction of honey from comb may have been discouraged. Also if honey is to be used for brewing and other traditional practices, then centrifuges are necessary.

MIXED BLESSING

Although the absence of frames reduces production costs, it can prove a mixed blessing. Combs are fragile, particularly when laden with honey. Inspection is often carried out after dusk and frequently results in a container half-filled with heavily soiled, unripe comb. Top-bars without frames do not tend themselves to transport and this can represent a considerable loss if the beekeeper is unable to move the hive. Honey flows are often brief but intense in Kenya and time spent by migratory swarms building fresh wax comb may result in disappointing yields of honey. The development of simple, robust but inexpensive frame for the Kenya top-bar hive might help overcome these difficulties

Members of Ruai Beekeepers’ Co-operative have tackled this problem and achieved some encouraging results. Although their frame is still very much in the experimental phase it could prove useful. We hope that other B&D readers using top-bar hives will be encouraged to try it.

Using the bee space for African bees recommended by Tanzanian researchers in the 1950s, frames were made from African pencil cedar Juniperus procera (Figs 1 and 2*). This wood was chosen for its hardness and resistance to warping. It is also termite resistant and its fragrance is said to attract bees.

* Please see the original journal article to see Figure 1. Kenya top-bar frame designed by Ruai Beekeepers and Figure 2. Kenya top-bar frame

ASSEMBLY

Assembly is simple. It takes place on jig made from wooden board (Fig 3*). Headless nails are located on it in such way secure the frame components. Two shallow cuts are made on the underside of the top-bar with saw in order to locate the frame ends. The two sides and bottom of the frame and top-bar are drilled for wiring using home- made drill (Fig 4*) and the parts assembled. The wire used is 16 gauge but the smaller size recommended in conventional frame construction may be preferable. The whole process, with little practice, is quick and the end-product neat and surprisingly robust. Once molten beeswax has been poured along all the points of comb attachment, the completed frame is ready for introduction to the hive. Starter strips of foundation have not been used by Ruai beekeepers because they do not have a foundation press. Starter strips are recommended when using frame hives and presumably would prove equally effective with the Ruai frame.

INCREASED HARVEST VALUE

At the start of the last honey flow total of 30 frames were distributed amongst 10 hives and placed from the seventh to the tenth positions on the outside of the brood nest. They were quickly filled, each yielding approximately 1kg of whole comb honey. With comb honey selling at premium price, use of the frame increased the harvest value from USS$2.65 to USS5.30 per top-bar. No difficulties arose in hive management or when transporting frames over rough ground. Cutting the comb into sections requires some skill, and this season the wire will be replaced with strong disposable nylon twine as an experiment.

We understand that developing frame for the Kenya top-bar hive does invite criticism because the original design objective of a top- bar hive is no longer met. However, progressive beekeepers requiring more flexibility in their hive management and “stuck” with the Kenya top-bar hive may find that Ruai frames provide a solution.

* Where reference to images or figures is made, please see the original journal article