Colony or nuc?

[Putnamsmif]

Hi everyone. Just joined up and I have a question. I've recently started my first hive with a fairly large nuc on 6 pretty full frames which I got from a friend. I keep them on a friend's land, and he has just offered, if I look after the bees, to fund another hive. Is it too late for this year? Would a nuc be unlikely to become strong enough starting at this time of year to get through the winter? Would it be better to buy a colony? (OK 3 questions!).

Any advice gratefully received,
Danny.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I should say there wouldn't be a problem getting a nuc now - you won't get much of a honey crop (but you never know) just concentrate on getting it well built up for winter - people have taken nucs through the winter no problems - some on here have taken mini nucs through to the next year

 

[Pete D]

I should say there wouldn't be a problem getting a nuc now - you won't get much of a honey crop (but you never know) just concentrate on getting it well built up for winter

My nuc's have all moved into full hives now, thinking I may make another 10 this weekend as my nuc boxes will be empty all winter if not.

 

[Putnamsmif]

Thanks. Got to think of the pennies in these times of austerity I suppose so nuc it is.

 

[Stiffy]

I agree with all above, whatever our Japanese friend is trying to say !

 

[Dishmop]

Some form of advertising I think.

Not going to win "The Apprentice" tho.

 

[itma]

Some form of advertising I think.

Not going to win "The Apprentice" tho.

Can't fault him for effort though.
Spamming the forum comprehensively now.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

He'd feel at home in the pesticides section!

 

[Bob Bee]

Hi everyone. Just joined up and I have a question. I've recently started my first hive with a fairly large nuc on 6 pretty full frames which I got from a friend. I keep them on a friend's land, and he has just offered, if I look after the bees, to fund another hive. Is it too late for this year? Would a nuc be unlikely to become strong enough starting at this time of year to get through the winter? Would it be better to buy a colony? (OK 3 questions!).

Any advice gratefully received,
Danny.

I shall be making up nukes in August to go through the winter, last year I made 6 and only lost one (poorly mated queen) so getting a nuke now will probably be fine. (unless winter starts in September this year........)

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I shall be making up nukes in August to go through the winter, last year I made 6 and only lost one (poorly mated queen) so getting a nuke now will probably be fine. (unless winter starts in September this year........)

Bob: I'm asking, not challenging, but why make them up now rather than in spring? Is the idea that with poly boxes they are likely to make it through winter and you end up with stronger colonies?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

why make them up now rather than in spring?

There are plenty of home bred queens available this time of the year, make up a nuc now, and if it overwinteres well, you have a productive colony from the start of the season next year. Because of our climate queen breeding starts much later, so unless you want to use imported queens a nuc made up with a British bred queen in spring will be ready much later and won't give much of a yield (unless you can overwinter your queens in a mini nuc, thus back to the original question)