Abstract
Hive is essential for honey bees to build their nests in such a way that it is easy to manage and maintain them. This study examined three beehive types: namely Mekonen, Zander model and Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTB), based on honey yield performance and profitability under Sidama condtion, Ethiopia. A total of 9 honeybee colonies which had similar strength were selected for comparison of different beehive in Remeda and Dilla substation. Honey yield data from each hive per harvesting season was recorded immediately after harvest. The overall average annual honey yield performance clearly revealed that Mekonen hive (26.77 ± 3.25 kg/hive) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than zander hive (20.77 ± 2.33 kg/hive) and KTB hive (17.61 ± 4.20 kg/hive). While, in both sub research station there was no significant difference in honey yield among the three hives. Mekonen hive stands first due to honey yield and preference while, KTB hive was affordable to the farmers due to cost and durability of the frame and ventilation followed by improved frame hive compared to Mekonen hive. It is therefore recommended to use the Mekonen hive as an alternative technology in addition to KTB and frame hive.
Highlights
The presence of diverse agro-climatic zones resulted from the diverse topographic variations make the country suitable for many bee floras
The highest average honey yield per hive was recorded from Mekonen (26.77 ± 3.25 kg) than Zander hive (20.77±2.23 kg) and 17.61 ± 4.20 kilogram of honey from Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTB) hive were harvested
The difference in honey yield between KTB hive with Mekonen and Zander hive might be due to the difference in the time of honey bees spent for building comb in the Kenyan top bar hive
Summary
The presence of diverse agro-climatic zones resulted from the diverse topographic variations make the country suitable for many bee floras. This situation plays role for the large number of honeybee colonies present in Ethiopia. The sole purpose of a hive is to encourage the bees to build their nests in such a way that it is easy to manage and maintain them [5, 10]. To improve the livelihoods of rural people in Ethiopia, several beekeeping development projects over the last 50 years have introduced different designed equipment to actively manage their colonies and increase honey production. Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTB) and improved frame hives are in the country introduced to the beekeepers in the study area though the rate of adoption is very low [9]
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