When should I transfer nuc to hive?

[rileyman]

Hi all,
As a total beginner, I need your advice ...

I am collecting my first nuc on Monday - and I have read conflicting advice as to how long I should wait until I transfer the bees from the nuc to their new hive. Should I do it as soon as I get them back home, or would a 24 hour settling in period be better?

Thanks for your help,
Roger

 

[Swift Nick]

When I picked mine up last year I was advised to place the nuc in its final location and leave the bees for a few days to get orientated. If they fill the nuc, transfer them to the hive with a couple of extra frames of foundation, but keep them dummied down, add more foundation as they expand in size.
You might need to feed them 1:1 syrup in a contact feeder if there is not a flow in your area, this will help the bees draw the foundation.
I got my bees early July 2017, they had filled the hive by the autumn, no honey for me in year 1 though. It was just good to see the bees build up to a full hive for the winter.
Good luck with your bees.

 

[Millet]

Hi all,
As a total beginner, I need your advice ...

I am collecting my first nuc on Monday - and I have read conflicting advice as to how long I should wait until I transfer the bees from the nuc to their new hive. Should I do it as soon as I get them back home, or would a 24 hour settling in period be better?

Thanks for your help,
Roger

It depends on how many frames are full of brood and food in the Nuc be it 6 or a 5 frame Nuc.

 

[Anduril]

It depends on how many frames are full of brood and food in the Nuc be it 6 or a 5 frame Nuc.

As both of the above, but this is dependent on what type of box the bees are going to be in. Wood, poly, correx or cardboard? For correx or cardboard in the evening, transfer to hive. You may get away with a roof or piece of wood on top incase of rain and transfer in a couple of days. But if brood is on all frames then the sooner the better. Wood or poly nucs you can leave for a few days then transfer, but if brood on all frames, transfer immediately. Ask the commercial beekeeper, how many frames of brood it has, they should have notes and be able to tell you, if they are any good.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I not long ago moved two nucs to the castle apiary for transferring into hives. It was a relaxed early morning so I gave them plenty of time to settle before doing it - about five minutes, they certainly don't need days!. They quickly oriented to their new home and began foraging.

 

[Madge]

... If they fill the nuc, transfer them to the hive ...

Surely, when you buy a nuc, it should already be ‘filled’, and ready to be transferred to a proper hive for expansion.

I tell nuc-buyers to put the nuc down on or next to their future home, open it, go and have a cup of tea, and then transfer them.

The tea time is to let the bees calm down a bit - but I think you can do it immediately. They’ll stay with their queen.

 

[Swift Nick]

As both of the above, but this is dependent on what type of box the bees are going to be in. Wood, poly, correx or cardboard?.

Good point, mine were in a poly nuc, so there was no rush to transfer.