5 Frame Nuc

[Frenchie]

I've just ordered a 5 frame nuc of local bees which should arrive early May. This is the first nuc I have ordered so not quite sure how to treat them when they arrive.I have a spare stand, floor,brood box,etc ready to house them in.Not too sure what they will arrive in. So my plan is to put the 5 frames in the brood box,put an extra frame one side,then a dummy board.On the other side put a frame feeder with weak sugar solution and keep them shut in for a couple of days.Does this sound correct? Thanks.

 

[MuswellMetro]

i wouldnt keep them shut, but would dummy down like you suggested but perhaps add another extra foundation frame if feeding

i always let them settle for an hour on their new site, open up with lose straw infront of the entrance

then transfer them to a new box either latter that day or next day, you cannt shut them in easily if you transfer them as you would have bees in the air

 

[Erichalfbee]

I put the nuc on their stand and open up.
I like to keep them in their nuc box overnight so they know where they live and transfer them the next day.

 

[Finman]

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Open yhe entrance at once. There is no reason to keep it shut.
Look first, does it need feeding. The seller should put there enough food stores.
If it has honey all together one frame, do not feed it.

Perhaps in May weathers are better and bees get food from nature.

What you can do with feeding is to fill limited brood cells.

 

[Finman]

, open up with lose straw infront of the entrance

What magic is in that straw? It is not needed.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

What magic is in that straw? It is not needed.

It's an alternative if you cannot find any magic twigs but not needed in this instance unless the nuc seller lives nextdoor

 

[Erichalfbee]

not needed in this instance unless the nuc seller lives nextdoor

 

[peterbees]

See our notes on Transferring bees from a nuc hive here http://tinyurl.com/jrhutpa

 

[Finman]

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When you bring the nuc into your yard, do not start to move frames at once to the ordinary hive. Let them first locate the hive place. So bees know where to fly. Location takes 2-3 sunny days.

How much more frames?

In these spring weathers it is not good idea to add 100% more room for the nuc. (5 new foundations like in advice pic.) Bees have difficulties to keep brood warm. Give only 1-2 new foundations. When all seams are full of bees, then again add 1-2 foundations.

Then one thing more: Do not push frame against Wall. IT should have same size gap as between two frames.

 

[Finman]

See our notes on Transferring bees from a nuc hive here http://tinyurl.com/jrhutpa

Too much new frames in the picture when bees have been moved to the hive.

 

[peterbees]

Too much new frames in the picture when bees have been moved to the hive.

OK, I accept your point.

 

[Frenchie]

Many thanks to everyone for all the help and advice. Will get everything set up for when the bees arrive.

 

[Finman]

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You get best result, if you have two 5 frame polystyrene nucs. Then you put abother under the brood box. Bees can expand by themselves downwards and the hive keeps the heat inside. It cost a little bit but you get money back with fast build up. And you will need later those boxs manh times.

You need only boxes. You may build roof and floor by yourself.

Do not use mesh floor in nucs. 5 frame nuc needs only 5 x 1 cm entrance open with solid floor.

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[BeeJayBee]

Then one thing more: Do not push frame against Wall. IT should have same size gap as between two frames.

Same with dummy board.

I was advised by SBI a few years ago to leave a larger gap between the end frame and the dummy board, to make sure they use the outer face of the frame properly.

 

[peterbees]

Too much new frames in the picture when bees have been moved to the hive.

I've updated the information on our website now.

 

[Frenchie]

Just one more question. In the information on this website it says; fit crown board and empty super. Can someone explain why an empty super? .Thanks again.

 

[chrisb]

if using a top feeder ( rapid feeder / contact feeder ) you would put an empty super on so when roof is on it stops feeder from being raided and you can not put roof on otherwise

 

[Finman]

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When you think to feed a nuc, look first inside the hive, does it have stores.
There should be one full frame food in 5 frame nuc. There is food for 1-2 week. Extra feeding only fills the valuable brood cells.

Biggest danger in small colony is that it will be filled in a week with honey and colony swarms.

But nuc is good compared to package colony or swarm, that it will get soon new workers. In package colony it takes 4 weeks before colony begins to grow.

In 5 frame nuc space is limited. Cells for honey and pollen is needed, and so, do not feed for fun. That is a real mistake. Let the bees pick their food from nature.

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[Frenchie]

Once again thanks for your replies. If I do have to feed would I be better using a frame feeder rather than a top feeder.

 

[Finman]

Once again thanks for your replies. If I do have to feed would I be better using a frame feeder rather than a top feeder.

IT is so in a small hive, but must important is that it is summer in Britain, and bees find their own food.

I bet that bigger problem than starving will be that nuc is too full of food stores. That is the whole idea in bee game. ... Big yields!!! Not big starving...