Standard Frames in a 14 x 12

[Sir Quej]

One of the new keepers at our apiary recently received his NUC (same time as me). He had opted for the 14 x 12 brood box but his NUC came as a standard. The guy who provided the NUC was having issues doing 14 x 12's and said it wouldnt be an issue and that he could just rotate the smaller frames out of the hive over time.

My question is how do you do this without splitting the brood? I assume that any new frame would have to be already drawn?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[Sir Quej]

Anyone????

 

[VEG]

I would place the the supplied frames in the middle of the brood box then as they build up slowly move the drawn frames in to replace the smaller ones

 

[george]

As suggested above but to get them working on the adjacent 14 x 12 frames you will need to fill the void below the standard frames . Otherwise they will expend a lot of time and effort building brace comb on the bottom of them .
I am thinking large block of something like a taped together shoe box , Needs a bit of measuring and fiddling but it will fill the space well enough .

G

 

[oliver90owner]

I would want to keep the bees warmer, than dumping 5 deep frames into a box with 14 x 12 frames, and avoid the wild comb. Frames at back of hive, space under filled and a couple foundation frames for them to draw. A divider with an entry slot at the bottom would keep them warm and cosy and maximise comb drawing.

If cold way, no need for the entry slot, but I felt (rightly or wrongly) that they build comb more evenly as they work towards the hive entrance. Probably a 14 x 12 observation, as I changed from deeps to extra deeps very early in my beekeeping.