poly nucs

[peteinwilts]

Hi Guys

It seems everywhere I read p*yn** poly nucs are slated.

Does anyone else sell national polynucs that are better than p*yn**??

Cheers
Pete

 

[fiftyjon]

It does seem that there are a number of critical users, however in my experience I have found them very good and I do recommend them to others.

...but I'm not aware of another supplier of national poly nucs though.

 

[kathrynat]

I also use them and have no complaints

 

[Margaret Elisabeth]

There will always be people who expect everything to be something like a cross between a Rolls Royce and a tank with the fuel consumption of a mo-ped.
They are what they are and insulation can be important to a small number of bees. Just don't expect it to have the same stability as a wooden hive, weight it or strap it and stake it.

 

[itma]

IMHO the Payns polynuc is decent value.

It ain't perfect.
I block off the feeder. I think the roof is too thin - but that only really matters if overwintering. And I've recently added frame rails.
Having a spare eke gives you the possibility of using a rapid feeder and/or stuffing it with insulation.

At £30 (including one eke) in their sale (now) it is decent value.

I prefer it to the Park "3 in 1" (National, 14x12 and Langstroth). Its floor does come off, the feeder is a better concept ... but I think the plastic is softer, and they pre-paint it to look awful - but still leave you to paint inside the feeder. I prefer the Payns one. And the Payns one is cheaper.


I believe o90o has converted Langstroth nucs to national (14x12?) and likely many others have done similarly. I haven't and can't speak to that.

 

[user 6228]

After measuring the conductance with 35 mm kingspan/recticel cover, I would now recommend a 50 mm cover given the lower heat generating capacity of a nuc

 

[sharonh]

Hi, I have a national poly nuc, I didn't buy from pa.yn.., it hasn't leaked or any other problems. Bought from B.esu.pl.es.ie.

 

[beeboybee]

I am using a ****** NUC for the first time this season, I like most of its design features, I have the eke on it already so it 14x12 frames.
This makes the reader only usable upto the joking from main box to Eke any higher and the syrup would leak out.....
Improvements I am thinking of making to the NUC:
1. Cutting away the feeder wall to make the box wider- I will then use a deep frame feeder or a rapid in another eke.
2. The NUC box was brilliant for catching a swarm in the summer, really light weight, just used a hive strap to attach it above where a swarm had landed on a wooden post in a barn.... The bees mostly walked up and in......... Apart from gathering on the grill underneath the NUC...... I am thinking of making a sliding cover for this to use when catching swarms.... Then slide out again for ventilation.
3.looking at improving roof insulation with a piece of kingspan glued on top with silver aluminium tape on edges and top.
I much prefer it to my single wooden NUC box.

 

[itma]

...
2. The NUC box was brilliant for catching a swarm in the summer, really light weight, just used a hive strap to attach it above where a swarm had landed on a wooden post in a barn.... The bees mostly walked up and in......... Apart from gathering on the grill underneath the NUC...... I am thinking of making a sliding cover for this to use when catching swarms.... Then slide out again for ventilation.
...
I much prefer it to my single wooden NUC box.

I've used the Payns for swarm-taking. Nice to take up a ladder and wedge between branches, etc.
For the calling-in phase, it definitely helps to have a barrier to prevent them accidentally undershooting the entrance. A strip of foam worked well. Last time out (forgot the foam) I improvised with some folded cardboard. Worked well.

 

[Hachi]

Itma I cant see the eke you mention have you a link please?

Thanks

 

[beeboybee]

http://www.paynesbeefarm.co.uk/nuc-mating-hives-page-3/

All on the last page in the poly NUC section
NUC+ eke =£30
Eke =£12.98
Standard NUC=£25

 

[itma]

Itma I cant see the eke you mention have you a link please?

Thanks

Its just the eke that converts it to a 14x12. £12.98 on its own.
You can stack them up.
Even if you have national brood frames, buy the "14x12" package and get an eke included for just £5 more in the sale.

 

[Bates]

Just seen that sale price... 30 boxes with ekes were £900 last month now £600 on sale.... Bugger.

 

[clv101]

I've ordered a couple with eke, seem pretty good value.

 

[youngyoungs]

Poly nucs from Pxxxxx's work well for me. Feeder a bit tricky.....

 

[Pete D]

Just seen that sale price... 30 boxes with ekes were £900 last month now £600 on sale.... Bugger.

Hi Bates, is that maths right ?
30 boxes @ £30 is £900, still same price now.

 

[peteinwilts]

Hi Bates, is that maths right ?
30 boxes @ £30 is £900, still same price now.

Last night when I looked, Nationals were £25 minus 10% if you buy 10, or 18% if you buy more than 30 odd.

Thanks to the crappy august, I am going to buy some to put my late starters in.
cheers for the advice guys...

 

[clv101]

Hi Bates, is that maths right ?
30 boxes @ £30 is £900, still same price now.

They are £22.08 if you buy 30+

 

[Pete D]

They are £22.08 if you buy 30+

In Bates post he said 30 boxes with ekes, ie not standard nationals

These are currently £30 each.

He got 30 previously with ekes for £900, same price now.
Multi buy discounts would not reduce this to £600

 

[clv101]

He got 30 previously with ekes for £900, same price now.

That's that not the same price as now. To buy 30 with ekes is now £662.40.