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Do you mind me asking what size of NUC and what plans you used?

How did you get on? In answer to your question, a few things to look for: Do the bees have enough stores? Did you see the queen or evidence of her, eggs larva? Is there room for her to lay more if she wants? Were there charged queen cups/cells?

What I have gathered: Queen genetics will have some effect on all the habits/behaviours of her offspring not just behaviour but all aspects. Queen pheromone will have an impact day to day. Weather will impact bee "aggression" temperature, rain etc. Poor handling will affect aggression, rough...

Really bad news, I know I feel gutted just losing a swarm!! If you only have two queens make sure that you are extremely proficient at clipping queens or you could end up worse off!!

I started with bait boxes 2-3 years ago. Back then I used a 6 frame poly nuc with eke, two old brood frames, some lemon grass oil dribbled outside it (not on the box) and set on my garage roof. I caught a swarm a year for the first two years. Last year a friend asked to put HIS 6 frame poly nuc...

I have mine on a garage roof. Have had a swarm each year for two years.

I have 203 breeze blocks with a pallet that I can get that when cut down is the perfect depth. Fits two hives side by side if needs be.

I have asked around and it is in in fact OSR. Colonies seem to be bringing in plenty of pollen both yellow and white. I will leave them to it!

Hi all, I have spotted a large field of OSR coming in to flower near my apiary. Apart from hefting and checking the hives haven't blown over I wasn't planning on doing anything until the weather gets warmer. Should the presence of the OSR make me change my plans at all? Many thanks

Hi, I have searched the forum but cannot find anything in detail! Does anyone have a guide/plan to make an oxalic vaporiser? Anyone got any comments on this say? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhS16zODIWA

I am in the Belfast one, probably not much difference between the two in terms of distance to travel but I knew a few folks in Belfast.

Hi there, probably fairly close to you!!! Are you a member of any of the associations?

I have both and think the circular saw is better at cutting up wood for boxes. The only thing I would say it that it is also possibly more dangerous so be extra careful and have someone who knows what they are doing how to use it if you have never used a circular saw before. (sorry if you are...

I agree they have to learn, maybe wait until they are older (4 and 7 ATM)

I used to have it every week when I was at uni in Dundee. Nothing like the stuff from the butchers. Not sure SWMBO would be keen on a request for Haggis for dinner. the last time I had it was in Portpatrick, deep fried Haggis from the chippie!

I had read about a feeder called a "grandpa feeder" that may mitigate the rat issue, but I do realise there isn't much chance of avoiding them! Not sure about the gun, I have two young boys who would go bat crazy if they knew I had a gun and they weren't allowed a "go"

Thanks for the replies guys. I have signed up for a local course and may give making a coop a go. For those of you interested if you do an internet search for harriets house coop there are a few designs that seem to be the basis for a decent coop I might use.

Hi folks, we are nearing the end of building a new house out in the country. We would like to keep some chickens probably no more than 4 or so. Does anyone here keep chickens and know of a similar chicken keeper resource similar to this fantastic forum. Also looking for plans for a chicken coop...

I hope this isn't off topic, but that dump of snow fell the night before we moved in to our new house. It is down a steep country lane. I remember digging the lane out (100m or so) by myself and one of the neighbours came over for a chat. "oh you will love it round here, a very close community...

Does Derek have any of his talks available online?