Nuc not taking sugar

[kdavis]

hello everyone, I have just obtained my first nuc and after putting in 1:1 sugar syrup to help it build up they have not taken any, is this normal ?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Need some more info:
How strong is the nuc
How many frames of brood
How many frames of stores is there already
Is it still in a nuc or now in a full size hive?
Where did you get the nuc from?

 

[kdavis]

Need some more info:
How strong is the nuc
How many frames of brood
How many frames of stores is there already
Is it still in a nuc or now in a full size hive?
Where did you get the nuc from?

oh sorry, the nuc is 2 frame brood 1 frame stores from a previously successful and healthy hive. Just moved into a full size hive and now need to feed in order for the bees to draw out the frames, in the norfolk area of UK.

 

[Boston Bees]

oh sorry, the nuc is 2 frame brood 1 frame stores from a previously successful and healthy hive. Just moved into a full size hive and now need to feed in order for the bees to draw out the frames, in the norfolk area of UK.

Step 1, put them back in the nuc until they have 6 drawn frames

In fact to be honest they might be able to just stay in the nuc until spring.

Assuming it's poly

 

[GuyNir]

Step 1, put them back in the nuc until they have 6 drawn frames

In fact to be honest they might be able to just stay in the nuc until spring.

Absolutely. Way early moving them to a full hive.

 

[pargyle]

oh sorry, the nuc is 2 frame brood 1 frame stores from a previously successful and healthy hive. Just moved into a full size hive and now need to feed in order for the bees to draw out the frames, in the norfolk area of UK.

The reason they are not taking down the syrup is that with the amount of space you have given them and with only the bees on those few frames they will be hard pressed to just look after the brood let alone draw wax... they will only draw wax if they need it and feeding them sugar does not automatically promote them to draw fresh comb.

You've not mentioned a queen ? Is there a queen in there or are you expecting them to draw queen cells and make one ... ? If there's no laying queen there is even less incentive for them to build new comb ...

And .. as has been said ... too small for a full hive - get them back into the nuc and give them some time to build up in a space they can manage ...

 

[Do224]

The reason they are not taking down the syrup is that with the amount of space you have given them and with only the bees on those few frames they will be hard pressed to just look after the brood let alone draw wax... they will only draw wax if they need it and feeding them sugar does not automatically promote them to draw fresh comb.

You've not mentioned a queen ? Is there a queen in there or are you expecting them to draw queen cells and make one ... ? If there's no laying queen there is even less incentive for them to build new comb ...

And .. as has been said ... too small for a full hive - get them back into the nuc and give them some time to build up in a space they can manage ...

Does this advice go for swarms too...leave them in a nuc until they’ve drawn all six frames and then transfer into a hive? What’s the downside of giving them the extra space earlier...is it to do with heat loss or something else?

 

[Erichalfbee]

The downside is that the bees huddle at one side and build up is slow.
A large prime however is fine straight into a full size hive bypassing the nuc.

 

[oliver90owner]

Without bees, they will be slow in getting going. No mention of strength of the colony earlier. The bees may be rather pre-occupied in keeping the capped brood warm.

No mention of state of queen either. If not mated, why would they build comb?