Managing Nucs

[Jen]

I know that there are threads about managing nucs. If the mods can find those for me I would be forever grateful 

I have two nucs now. One is queen right, the other has a new frame with larvae of all stages and eggs, so the bees can make another queen.

I've heard several comments that nucs are fun because you can get into them often. I haven't the vaguest idea how to manage a 5 frame nuc... I'm thinking that you make more nucs from your already existing nucs?

[pistolpete]

The way I look at it: a Nuc is a temporary arrangement.  If you just leave them alone, they will fill up the box and promptly swarm.  So you have to be removing frames on a regular basis to make it work.  Nucs are nice for building comb, banking queens, bolstering weak hives, extra income.  They are in no way a replacement for a full hive though.  A full colony (two deep boxes full of bees) will produce a full frame of capped brood about every other day. A Nuc takes about 10 days to do the same.  A full colony can draw out a frame of foundation in about two days, a Nuc takes about a week to do the same.  Nucs are more likely to: get robbed, overheat, get chilled, starve, and swarm. 

I know lots of people manage Nucs just fine, but for me I'd rather have 3 weak hives building up to becoming full hives than 3 Nucs constantly in need of attention.

[Jen]

Thanks Pete, so far I like hives in the process of building as well, but that is what I'm used to. But this last long spring played havoc with my queens. This year I was dealt three queenless hives. I did learn the value of having a banked queen in a nuc, added eggs to the other nuc which made a queen, and only purchased one queen this year. So this process was a good lesson.

If my other hives don't need anything from the nucs, how do I keep the nucs 5 frames... my inclination is to pop another frame in to avoid swarming.. scratching head

[tbonekel]

Well, you could always start another nuc from that one and let them create another queen. Or, you could turn this nuc into a full sized hive. When that hive gets too big, start a nuc from it.

[Zweefer]

Another option is to pull a frame of brood occasionally and give it to another hive, this keeping them from overcrowding...

[Mosti]

I like nucs...but only when they are sucessfull splits 

[sc-bee]

I disagree with some of what has been said based on what I have experienced in my climate. Some of my observations-
-A small amount of bees will build up quicker in a nuc-- they utilize the space
- A strong nuc protects against SHB better than a weak large colony --- a protecting the space issue
-A nuc will draw comb quicker in particular with a weaning flow.
-Why stop with a five frame nuc--- stack them. I have some three five frames high.
-When you get three five frames or two fivers stacked. Get a queen and split a box away- --- simple. OR do a walk away split.
-I have had good success wintering double single stacked nucs here in the South

Cold weather beeks look for Michael Palmers video on wintering in a divided ten frame box with five framers stacked on top. When spring rolls around he removes the five framer and uses it as a BEE BOMB as he calls it.

Nucs are one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you can own in a bee yard.

[Jen]

All good information    My personal goal is to not increase my apiary. Ideally, I would like 2 strong hives, 3 max, and maybe two nucs for queen banks.

My happy nuc has three full frames of brood, If I split happy nuc, this time of year, and wait for the new queen and the mating and all,  it's going to be late in the season to sell them.. right?

[rober]

keep managing the nuc as needed & then overwinter it & sell it in the spring if you do not need it. overwintered nucs sell for premium prices.  there's always the possibility that one of your hives might need a boost in the spring.

[Riverrat]

If I split happy nuc, this time of year, and wait for the new queen and the mating and all,  it's going to be late in the season to sell them.. right?

You are spot on on that one.  There is always a newbee eager to buy a nuc and get started at anytime of the year.  But a good experienced beekeeper will not sell one that has a slim chance of making it.

[Jen]

Thanks Rrat! That's what I thougt.

Think I'll do that Rober, I like the thought of overwintering a nuc or two. Haven't done that yet, and it would be a good learning lesson.