Nuc position

[JohnRB]

Hi, I have a hive that I need to split but am currently short on space. Can I place the nuc on top of the original hive with the entrances 180° apart? I don't see this as being any different from doing a vertical split with a split board, but am prepared to be told I'm wrong!. I need to buy myself a month until I have access to a new apiary. Advice welcome. Thanks

 

[NickDub]

No reason why not as long as ;-

1) the support under the bottom hive is adequate for the total weight and
2) you tie the whole lot down somehow, so that it can't blow over.


The main drawback I can see is moving the nuc later on - the usual 3 foot or 3 miles rule of thumb would apply.

 

[JohnRB]

Great, thanks. I'll be moving it about 5 miles so no problem

 

[JWF]

The main drawback is that when you inspect the bottom hive you have to move the nuc, and end up with a confused cloud of flying bees at head height.

 

[JohnRB]

Hopefully the bottom box will be busy making a new Queen as I'm going to move the Queen into the nuc. I'll inspect at the one week stage and then assuming that they have made some Queen cells thin them down to one or two then leave them alone for 3 weeks while they sort themselves out. Then my new apiary becomes available and I can move the nuc away