Group or stagger

[King Scavenger]

Hi. I will, soon, be getting my first nuc and have been told, by the supplier that, when they arrive I am to place the nuc, at the site of my hive, then let them out to have a look around and get there bearings. I have no problem with that.
The next day I am to transfer the 5 nuc frames to my hive, now!! Do I group them in the centre of the hive box then fill in with new frames or stagger them by starting at one side with a new frame followed by a nuc one then a new one again and so on. This, I am told, will get the swarm to grow faster. Any advice would be welcome.

 

[Erichalfbee]

This is what I would do.
Warm way.
Place the frames to the front. Frame of foundation next to the wall and one at the other side of your nuc frames (sometimes I miss this one out and just add the one next to the wall)
Dummy board then fill rest of box with EPS (Kingspan, Recticel or such) insulation and 50mm of same on top of crown board.
Check every 2/3 days to add another frame.......less time if hot and a flow on.
Don't break up the brood nest of a nuc.....it will really slow them down

 

[dn170221]

This is what I would do.
Warm way.
Place the frames to the front. Frame of foundation next to the wall and one at the other side of your nuc frames (sometimes I miss this one out and just add the one next to the wall)
Dummy board then fill rest of box with EPS (Kingspan, Recticel or such) insulation and 50mm of same on top of crown board.
Check every 2/3 days to add another frame.......less time if hot and a flow on.
Don't break up the brood nest of a nuc.....it will really slow them down

Sounds like a plan to me!

 

[oliver90owner]

This, I am told, will get the swarm to grow faster

This is a nuc, not a swarm?! Someone was talking at cross purposes or you did not understand what he he was talking about, I would suggest.

Follow the advice from Erichalfbee.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Someone was talking at cross purposes or you did not understand what he he was talking about,

Or - that someone didn't know what he/she was talking about!.

I have my hives Cold way, just put the nuc in against one side with the same orientation/order as the nuc (i.e. the sides of the frame facing the nuc entrance now facing hive entrance) then put the foundation in so the bees have only one side to work on (if it's a decently strong nuc I don't bother with insulation, just fill the whole box with frames).
If they are a bit low on stores feed them some 1:1 syrup - it will also encourage them to draw wax. Don't overfeed as they may just fill up any available laying space with stores.

 

[oliver90owner]

JBM,

Possibly alternating foundation with drawn comb, in the case of a swarm installation, might give them a bit of a head start (or 'helping hand') particularly if the flow was going over. I was giving someone the benefit of the doubt as this is the section for the forum beginners.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

true RAB - could have been a misunderstanding of that kind - wasn't the OP I ws questioning though, just the provenance of the information he had been given .

 

[King Scavenger]

I'm sorry if I have confused anyone but the nuc is coming in the post so I just want to know the best set up in the hive. All frames together is the best one I understand from the comments made. Five frames, centre and three new frame either side, tuck them up with syrup and check after a few days. ?

 

[REDWOOD]

There are many ways to do it, your way will probably be the slowest build up of the other three ways mentioned but I have done it your way on times with no adverse affect to the colony.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Five frames, centre and three new frame either side, tuck them up with syrup and check after a few days. ?

If you give them only the one frame at a time to draw they will build up faster.

Nuc in the post? I didn't know they were available that way.
Are you getting a package by any chance?

Edit...just looked up easy b they post.

 

[King Scavenger]

If you give them only the one frame at a time to draw they will build up faster.

Nuc in the post? I didn't know they were available that way.
Are you getting a package by any chance?

Edit...just looked up easy b they post.

They are coming from Fragile Planet: http://fragile-planet.co.uk/ thanks:

 

[Polyanwood]

That surprised me. Most people wouldn't send nucs in the post as it is rather risky for the colony. Cheaper than some places though at £190 plus £32.50 P+P...let's hope it is a fancy bee loving courier that will treat them well on the journey.
Enjoy your new bees.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Cheaper than some places though at £190 plus £32.50 P+P

How much!!!