Maisemore Apiary Poly NUC - Disk Q Excluder

[Thymallus]

No the Paynes disc is too large for the rebate on the Maiseys.

I've just purchased some of the Maismore Nucs and noticed the entrance disc is now red! Instead of the green/yellow (I'm colour blind) ones advertised on site and seen on a couple of others.
The distances on QE setting still seems a bit small compared to a an ordinary queen excluder being 4mm as opposed to recommended 4.3. Anyone got a size for the yellow/green ones?
I'm presuming that the reds are also too small. Although I can't test it with bees at the moment because I forgot to screw the discs back on after painting and adding bees and new queens. Next week maybe.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Sounds promising, the proof is in the pudding as they say.
Diolch for the review Jbm

Another update - still got quite a few of these nucs running now and looking good - as with the Paynes ones they do tend to brace comb the top feeders to the frames when feeding - they like to build comb in the slot up to the feeder area, this then extends to the top bars - bit of a pain (no pun intended ) but manageable.
I don't see the entrance disk QX issue a problem as why do you need it? although they now have new ones on the way according to the lads at the sale day.
More importantly, the lid/beespace/lack of issue:
They've been in use a couple of months now, some really brimming full of bees before being hived, I didn't use the terram quilts that I'd made just to give a 'warts and all' trial.
Not once has there been a problem with the lid being stuck to the top bars - only sometimes, as would be expected, have they propolised the joint between lid and sides.
I have never experienced bees being crushed between top bars and lid as someone reported, but then again I never slam the lid on, just lay it back gently.
They get the thumbs up from me at any rate

 

[Thymallus]

Not once has there been a problem with the lid being stuck to the top bars - only sometimes, as would be expected, have they propolised the joint between lid and sides.

Had some awful problems separating the feeder from the box. But this is my fault due to buying a cheap masonry paint from Wil??o..so watch this if you paint your nucs. Some masonry paints seem to take weeks to dry out properly. It's not a fault of the Nuc. Not yet had them propolise them together yet.
Only down side is I have found quite a lot (dozens) of drowned bees in the feeder, not sure why..
Be nice if they sort our the queen excluder, I've tacked a cut out excluder over the entrance when hiving swarms for the first few days, which is about the only time I can think you might need to use one. But having to unscrew the disc is no big deal.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Strange - haven't had one drowned bee yet - even though I was half expecting some as it happens with most feeders.
Was it just with one colony or all? I found last autumn with my 'English' feeders (I know, it does gall me a bit - why can't they just call them Brother Adam feeders which is basically what they are, but plastic versions ) most colonies were fine - just the odd one or two drownings, but with one particular colony they were like lemmings - feeder always packed with drowned bees!
Painting mine will have to wait until the winter I suppose

 

[Thymallus]

I've only used the feeder on two colonies and both had drowned bees. Not conclusive by any means.
Wanting to make some clear poly-carbonate covers to go under the roof. It is always nice to be able to remove lid and inspect. Unless anyone knows of a cheap source I guess I'll buy some spares from Paynes and cut to size.

 

[Cussword]

I have two now, I've made clear plastic covers. I've had no trouble with bees drowning.

 

[BeeJayBee]

... my 'English' feeders (I know, it does gall me a bit - why can't they just call them Brother Adam feeders which is basically what they are,

They might end up being called German feeders!

Wanting to make some clear poly-carbonate covers to go under the roof.

Use a sheet of very thick polythene, the stuff they sell off the roll for using in greenhouses or for making little polytunnels. The bees don't seem to chew it.

 

[Tremyfro]

I have a number of the Maisemore nucs. I didn't know there was a problem with the discs but then I haven't used them with the QE part in use. I did find a problem with the top bees space...of which there is none. When using the feeder...you could not put it on without catching some bees on the top bars. The only place they could access the feeder was the small areas between the bars where the access crosses them. However..I resolved the problem by using thin wooden strips along the edge where the feeder rested. The bees couldn't escape. I have since discovered that the frames I had bought had really thick top bars and this may have contributed to the problem. I also made some plastic cover boards for when the feeder came off. It allows visual checks and stops any propolis of the lid and ensure the bees don't get crushed. I have found that on the nucs which had the ekes on them...they are well and truly propolised!
And FYI JBM...I don't slam the lid on my hives.

 

[Thymallus]

I've only used the feeder on two colonies and both had drowned bees. Not conclusive by any means.

Update....next 2 nucs with no problems with drowned bees in the feeder. Just the first 2. Same strain of bees as well.