Poly Nuc Conversion

[nantmoel]

I have made a few Queen Castle last season, these have 3 sections each holding 3 frames. As it was raining today I decided it was time to look at the conversion on a Poly Nuc into two sections, each with three frames. After a little time measuring the inside of the BB and the feeder I can up with this solution. There are three things I like about this option.
1. It can be returned to its original function as a 6 frame Nuc.
2. It can be divided into two 3 frame mating/over wintering Nucs.
3. With a little more development using a second brood box I can use it as a cloak board cell raiser for queen rearing.

 

[Millet]

Funny enough i was watching a video clip today about a four section Queen castle in a national brood box that took ten frames, each separate crown board had a one inch hole in it so a separate inverted contact jar feeder could be used, that one of yours looks better to me and you have made a tidy job of it.

 

[nantmoel]

I see BS Honeybees are making a similar Nuc, its just I got a few and thought I would adapt them.

 

[bontbee]

Looks really good - am tempted to give it a go (is that a Maisie polynuc?). Do you use/intend to use anything to prevent the bees propolising the divider in place? thanks

 

[nantmoel]

Looks really good - am tempted to give it a go (is that a Maisie polynuc?). Do you use/intend to use anything to prevent the bees propolising the divider in place? thanks

Yes it is a Maisemore Nuc, I was going to rub the divider with a little vaseline.

 

[bontbee]

Thanks

 

[Kenson]

Very good
Thanks, I like these Nucs and this will come in handy I think

 

[Softley]

I was going to rub the divider with a little vaseline.

No comment.

 

[user 6228]

The thermal issue with these is the domino effect of a colony failing. You then end up with the survivors having to take up the addition thermal load perhaps increasing the chances of their demise. (decreased ratio of colony mass to thermal conductance ).

To obviate this you need a bespoke box for each colony that as a thermal conductance of one third of a the full sized nuc provided by either/and increased thickness of insulation, change of material or change in shape.