National NUC to National Jumbo hive!!

[hokanui]

Hello
This is my first post. I have two national Jumbo brood hives assembled and set up ready for bees.
I have the opportunity of sourcing a 6 frame Nuc of bees. Problem or issue I have is the bees are on National frames and I am geared up with Jumbo frames. I have one hive set up with foundation frames and one with starter strips.

Different frame sizes not ideal I know.I am struggling to see or research strategies to incorporate the bees from national frames to Jumbo.

I am keen to ge at least one hive going this year and hopefully build up enough to get through this next winter.

My query would be.
a) Is this feasible?
b) Should I just forget it and wait for a NUC on jumbo frames or a swarm in bait hive?
c) If it is feasible what would be the best stratedgy

Many thanks in advance for any information supplied.
Cheers
Hokanui

 

[Heather]

By Jumbo are you meaning 14x12 which is deeper than standard National or Commercial which is wider..
If 14x12 frames in your main hives then National from Nuc not a problem. The bees will extend the nationals from the Nuc , with comb, down to the level of the new frames.. But always a little tricky mixing frame sizes when new beekeeper...good luck, hope this helps.. and welcome to the forum.

 

[hokanui]

Thanks Heather
Yes 14 x 12 in a National box. The 6 frame Nuc would be 14" x 8.5". I was concerned about the extra 3.5" below Nuc frames and wether I should try and fill that gap till they worked the new frames.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

What I would do is put one jumbo frame in, then the 6 deep frames, then the rest of the jumbo frames, that will mean the bees will concentrate most of the workforce to one side, drawing one frame at a time but quicker than splitting their efforts, once the frames are drawn start working out the deep frames to either side of the hive, when spring comes along, and the cluster is small, the deep frames at the sides of the hive should be empty of both stores and brood and can be removed.

 

[hokanui]

Many thanks,
Sounds like a good plan. Do you reckon they will prefer drawing out foundation on the 14 x 12 rather than brace comb on bottom of their national deeps. Think I'll give it a go, keen to get a hive established this season.
Cheers, much appreciate everyones time.
Hokanui

 

[jeff33]

They will do both and the brace comb will usually be drone brood. Not an issue really.

 

[StephenT]

We had a drawn super frame in a standard national brood box (all we had drawn at the time for a split) and they added on almost exactly 2 thirds worker comb and 1 third drone comb underneath it. I guess they'll do what they feel is needed at the time.

 

[Bee Bumble]

An alternative solution:

https://www.thorne.co.uk/frames-and-foundations/frames/british-standard-frames?product_id=4481

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

An alternative solution:

https://www.thorne.co.uk/frames-and-foundations/frames/british-standard-frames?product_id=4481

A real faff and not worth the effort or expense

 

[hokanui]

Have had a think and come up with the following plan.
I built an eke to extend a national super by 75mm. This should take the national frames from the NUC.
I also built a follower board for this eked super.
On top of this I will put the 14x12 brood box with new frames of foundation.
Then on top of the brood box a national millar feeder, hoping to encourage drawing of comb.
Any comments welcome?
Cheers hokanui

 

[Angry_Mob]

Do as Jenkins said.

You're method entails giving a six frame nuc a lot more space is has now which it has to keep warm.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Have had a think and come up with the following plan.
I built an eke to extend a national super by 75mm. This should take the national frames from the NUC.
I also built a follower board for this eked super.
On top of this I will put the 14x12 brood box with new frames of foundation.
Then on top of the brood box a national millar feeder, hoping to encourage drawing of comb.
Any comments welcome?
Cheers hokanui

Far too much space.
Too much work which the bees won’t do.
Do as JBM suggested. No need to be in a hurry.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Hello
This is my first post. I have two national Jumbo brood hives assembled and set up ready for bees.
I have the opportunity of sourcing a 6 frame Nuc of bees. Problem or issue I have is the bees are on National frames and I am geared up with Jumbo frames. I have one hive set up with foundation frames and one with starter strips.

Different frame sizes not ideal I know.I am struggling to see or research strategies to incorporate the bees from national frames to Jumbo.

I am keen to ge at least one hive going this year and hopefully build up enough to get through this next winter.

My query would be.
a) Is this feasible?
b) Should I just forget it and wait for a NUC on jumbo frames or a swarm in bait hive?
c) If it is feasible what would be the best stratedgy

Many thanks in advance for any information supplied.
Cheers
Hokanui

Rough and ready solution - stick the dn14 frames with brood in a gap in the 14 x 12 frames. Yes the bees will quite likely build down below the dn frames but they will also expand out into the 14 x 12s. Develop your technique of flipping frames so the extension comb doesn't snap off during inspections. You can work the short frames out over the next season if you need to.

 

[hokanui]

National 6 Frame NUC to 14 x 12 Hive

Plan is progressing well. ( Hope that doesn't tempt fate!!)

3 weeks ago 6 frame NUC put into eked super with follower board on one side.
Above that 11 frames foundation in 14 x 12 hive;
Above that a Miller feeder.

2 weeks ago : had a look, comb drawn on some of 14 x 12 frames, pollen, nectar and I thought some eggs present.

1 week ago : Couldn't find queen but eggs and larvae in both Nuc frames and Hive frames. Two or three empty queen cups on NUC frames but no sign of being charged!! Phew!! Plan had been to put queen above a QE. Abandoned plan as no queen found.

4 days ago: Checked bottom NUC frames first. No Queen. put on QE then replaced 14 x 12 box, checked frames, more drawn comb, more brood and Queen strutting about the second last frame.

Today was curious to check NUC frames below excluder and double check no queen cells. Shook bees off all queen cups emty. One I couldn't decide upon could easily have been a drone brood cell beside a cup on brace comb. Now gone.
Still feeding 1:1 syrup hoping that will do them for at least a couple of weeks and will check out the 14x12.

Really enjoying the bees, had a wee sting today while shaking off bees. Nothing much and was through a pair of black nitrile gloves. Wondering if the nitrile stops the full venom being injected, just a pin prick with no reaction.

Had a wee concern about drone cells stuck above the QE. Only really noticed 1 drone cell on the new drawn frames so hoping it won't be an issue.