Collected my first nuc on Saturday :-)

[steve56616]

I appologies in advance as I will probably be asking many questions
After collecting my first ever nuc I left it till Sunday to place them in their new hive as it was raining Saturday.
All went much better than I expected and my slight nervousness completely went as they were so gentle.
Anyway, all going well and constant heavy stream of pollen going in. My only worry at this time is about brood boxes!! Do I need to order a 2nd brood box? if so when? I'm worrying about swarming and preventing it. Everything I read or watch is about splitting etc but I only want one hive this yr and possibly another next yr. Surley by keep splitting your hive numbers double
Also if I find queen cells what do I do? again I have read different things and most is about creating more colonies which I don't want to do.
I have been reading and reading for months but now their here its real and maybe I've read too much lol

Thanks
Steve

 

[oliver90owner]

Before worrying about swarming, have you dummied down your hive? Ie only a couple frames of foundation and the rest of the space occupied by a filler such as covered insulation? Particularly important at this time of the year.

RAB

 

[beeno]

Hi Steve,
How exciting is that! Well, done for hiving them. Now we need more info from you i.e. how many frames of bees and what you have got them in to help. However, the trick is not to have to see any QC.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Do I need to order a 2nd brood box? if so when? /QUOTE]

Yes, and as soon as possible just in case (you've missed the sales unfortunately

I only want one hive this yr and possibly another next yr. /QUOTE]
If you're lucky you may not need to do an artificial swarm this year but next.........

Surley by keep splitting your hive numbers double
/QUOTE]

Yes - but towards the end of the summer you can kill the old queen in the one hive an re-unite with the part you 'split' with the new mated queen in.

Also if I find queen cells what do I do? /QUOTE]

You have to conduct an artificial swarm, or demaree or whatever - you definitely can't just do nothing.

I have been reading and reading for months but now their here its real and maybe I've read too much lol

Have you joined your local BKA or done a course, it seems you may have read a lot but haven't gt the 'whole picture', maybe you should try and find someone nearby to look at your bees and give you advice?
Also, with your new nuc - what state is it now in - you've moved it from a cosy nuc into a big hive - how many frames of foundation have you given them to draw initially? have you dummied down the interior? have you given them a feed of syrup to assist in wax making (and are conditions where you are condusive to drawing wax at the moment?

(taken too long typing and thus overtaken by other posts!)

 

[steve56616]

Thank you Beeno.
My hive is a National and the nuc was 6 frames. I placed them in the center just like Ive watched hundreds of youtube videos do. I have a super body on top housing a top feeder with syrup that they are all taking well. Nuc seemed strong with many more bees than I was expecting. Some capped brood, some capped honey although I didnt see eggs as was just keen on getting them in. Queen was fine also.

I will just add :
It took a lot of courrage posting on here as one is always worried about the 'know all's' that put newbies down and pull apart confidence. I hope this fourum isn't like some others (differnt interest but lots of knowledge!!) I go on. We all have to start out and need good advice.

 

[steve56616]

Just to say. My comment about newbies wasn't aimed at anyone here, just wanted to say it as I often feel cross with people on other forums that do treat newbies not very nicely.
Thank you to the replies above.
I haven't been able to go on any courses as they were wrong timings with work comitments so I am going to self teach with hopefully good advice when needed

 

[REDWOOD]

with above also read this ;
http://www.wbka.com/pdf/a012queencells.pdf

download it print it and read it digest it happy days

 

[parkranger]

Steve

I'm a relative newbie as well, into my second year of keeping my own bees.
I would strongly recommend that you join your local bka and enrol on the next possible course. If there is no course available soon, try and buddy up with another local keeper/mentor in order to learn how others "do it". Also, try and inspect other's bees if possible as well, as that way you will have something to compare your colony to.

Good luck

Parkanger

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

What books have you read Steve? -I recommend Ted Hooper and Clive De Bruyn for starters.

 

[steve56616]

Thank you 'Redwaood' for the link

Books I've been reading are:
Bee Keeping A Novices Guide by David Wootton
Keeping bees a practical guide by Paul Peacock
Bee keeping for Dummies by Howland Blackiston
Keeping bees by Vivian Head
Thanks for the other recomendations

 

[MuswellMetro]

I will try not to be old Mr grumpy,

it is still a bit cold at night so you might wish to consider insulation in the roof/empty super with feed...a cushion filled with poly beads would do or insulation slab

Likewise have you go a dummy board,? You ideally would start with a small number of frames and as they expand move the dummy board until they occupy the full 11 frames, I don't know how you have configered them but i put one fresh foundation frame against the wall, the nuc frames in order, another foundation (only if they occupy all the nuc frames) then dummy, then fill the resulatant space with foundation frames

if you just put them in the middle in our climate, then they can have diffiuclty keeping themselve warm and are slow at devloping

lots of you tube videos are american..diffrent climate etc

 

[MuswellMetro]

Thank you Beeno.
My hive is a National and the nuc was 6 frames. I placed them in the center just like Ive watched hundreds of youtube videos do. I have a super body on top housing a top feeder with syrup that they are all taking well. Nuc seemed strong with many more bees than I was expecting. Some capped brood, some capped honey although I didnt see eggs as was just keen on getting them in. Queen was fine also.

I will just add :
It took a lot of courrage posting on here as one is always worried about the 'know all's' that put newbies down and pull apart confidence. I hope this fourum isn't like some others (differnt interest but lots of knowledge!!) I go on. We all have to start out and need good advice.

and i forgot WELCOME and ask as many stupid questions as you like, for every question asked by you, a hundred are watching but to timid to post that question

 

[MMJ100]

Steve,
Well done. First to get the nuc and hive them. Second to post here.
I am sad to say that there are a few people here who for some reason make caustic comments and make you feel like I have felt recently.
My comment and advice is to keep posting and remember the people who are not nice.
There is a wealth of knowledge here and very many people who want to help you and will spend their time to write and point you in the right direction.

So, please ignore those who want to be caustic and sarcastic and appreciate those who are supportive. I read almost too much and then have a problem in which direction to go. My feeling is that we are only helping the bees who have been at it for a long time and you just need the courage to do what is right for your bees.

Very good luck and hope all will be wonderful in the end. But remember we all, even long term beeks make mistakes.

Michael

 

[GrumpyBunny]

Fantastic news - fun times ahead!

 

[HM Honey]

Hi Steve

You'll find that this forum is an excellent mix of noobs and experienced beeks alike. I started last year and have managed to bring three hives through winter (so far). An achievement that I credit to the advice and knowledge I have gained from this forum.

You will find that frequently, you will get conflicting responses to a question you post. This doesnt necessarily mean either of them are wrong. In fact, each method will have worked for each respective beek.

I think the general opinion is that it is easier to have two hives. This helps if you ever need to "borrow" something from one hive to help the other (eggs etc). That said, if you know other beeks, you can generally get help. Keeping two hives is no harder than keeping one to be honest (in fact it's probably easier).

The only other thing I will say is keep reading, keep learning, keep having fun and dont get disheartened if you do have issues or problems, it's all a learning curve.

Good luck

 

[galileo]

Howdo Steve

Congrats... you'll love it.... and breathe!

I'm in your neck of the woods so I heartily recommend that you join the NBKA. You'll find them on the web. It's not expensive and well worth the investment. There's a training apiary, as you'll see, managed by a very knowlegeable, very friendly chap, which meets every Sunday morning from May this year. You just can't beat regular hands-on in the company of them wot know. The regulars will make you feel very welcome indeed. Hope to see you there maybe. Marc

 

[steve56616]

I am off work today and could sit watching them all day again
I’ve waited so long and can't believe they are here.

Thank you to all that have responded and the information that has been given.
To answer some of the questions, I didn't use dummy boards but will take the advice and insulate the top empty super housing the feeder.
I will get another hive as soon as I have saved some pennies as staring out hasn't been cheap!
I understand it is better to have at least two hives so will expand eventually.

One thing I wondered if anyone can answer? I have noticed a couple of them coming out with what looks like a small whitish patch on a wing that seems to aggravate them. When they have tried to fly they then drop down. Anyone know what this is? I was just watching and saw the same sort of thing on one yesterday trying without success to get it off.

 

[MuswellMetro]

I am off work today and could sit watching them all day again
I’ve waited so long and can't believe they are here.

Thank you to all that have responded and the information that has been given.
To answer some of the questions, I didn't use dummy boards but will take the advice and insulate the top empty super housing the feeder.
I will get another hive as soon as I have saved some pennies as staring out hasn't been cheap!
I understand it is better to have at least two hives so will expand eventually.

One thing I wondered if anyone can answer? I have noticed a couple of them coming out with what looks like a small whitish patch on a wing that seems to aggravate them. When they have tried to fly they then drop down. Anyone know what this is? I was just watching and saw the same sort of thing on one yesterday trying without success to get it off.

probably sugar fondant, i suspect they would have been fed fondant in the nuc before you got them

 

[Snail368]

Hi Steve

I'm also in Northamptonshire, do you want to pm me? You may need a bit of support for this year and you should belong to the local association and do your basic training early next year. In the meantime, you should have a mentor to assist, depending on where you are the local association may be able to find you someone local.

Good luck with the nuc

Brian

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Hi Steve

I'm also in Northamptonshire, do you want to pm me? You may need a bit of support for this year and you should belong to the local association and do your basic training early next year. In the meantime, you should have a mentor to assist, depending on where you are the local association may be able to find you someone local.

Good luck with the nuc

Brian

Steve - a fantastic offer from Brian PM him for a chat (you see, under the hard crusty surface we're a tidy bunch really!)
Well done Brian!!