small/natural cell--crush and strain

[wvbee]

I will be starting a new hive next month with a package of bees.  I would like to go with small/natural cell.  Can I set up all the frames in my brood box with a beveled top bar or starter strip and just let them build their own comb?  Or do I need to give them some kind of foundation?  I would like to let them build all of their own comb throughout the hive, up into the honey supers.  When I get to where I can harvest honey, is it ok to use that comb to crush and strain and have them rebuild?  Thanks for the help

[Scott Derrick]

I have wedges on my bars. and I applied a small amount of bees was to the wedge. Michael Bush has a lot more about this on his site here http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfoundationless.htm

I am starting with a Kenyan Topbar Hive this year and I made wedges. I'm not going to use starter strips.

Blessings!

Scott

[Michael Bush]

>Can I set up all the frames in my brood box with a beveled top bar or starter strip and just let them build their own comb?

Yes.  With other benefits:http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnaturalcell.htm

> Or do I need to give them some kind of foundation?

No.

> I would like to let them build all of their own comb throughout the hive, up into the honey supers.

Then give them a guide and let them.

>  When I get to where I can harvest honey, is it ok to use that comb to crush and strain and have them rebuild? 

Yes.  http://www.bushfarms.com/beesharvest.htm