So, the whole point in using a top bar hive design, is to use “top bars” in the hive. The bees I purchased were on 5 tradition frames,also called a “nuc”. I’m currently in the transition from these frames to top bars. I have three bars spaced between frames in each hive. This is to encourage straight comb building. Hive 08-01 has been working on one bar for over a week and they have made some great progress. Here is the first bar I put in.

And a closer look.

The wax is nearly drawn out to fill the allowed space. There is honey, pollen, larva, capped larva, and capped drone on it already. Probably eggs too, I just didn’t look that close. I could not be happier. The bees actually know what to do without foundation! The bonus is it’s built to their needs, not mine. If, for example, they need, for what ever reason, a load of drones, they make them. They know much better than me what they need and this system allows them to do it.

Here is the bar I put in yesterday. It’s got three starts on it already.

I checked one bar in hive 08-02. It’s already got some starts on it too! I just installed these bees yesterday! I should have put more bars in these hives sooner so I can get the frames out sooner. They are clearly up to the task of building lots of comb. Live and learn. More to come I’m sure.