8 frame medium as a nuc...question

[Intheswamp]

I'm using all 8 frame medium boxes and I'm wondering about making a couple of nucs.  To make a nuc with medium frames how many medium brood frames should I use?  I'm thinking of two empty frames on the outsides, two honey/pollen frames inside of those, and then four frames of brood and brood+resources.  Sound about right?

Ed

[bailey]

A lot more than I would use.

If I had to use an 8 frame nuc I would still only pull 3 frames from a hive.
The extra space can be dealt with by using division boards. Or follower boards.  It will help with their ability to control the hive beetles.

I know a lot of people that make 2 and one frame nucs and let them build from there but I like at least 2
 3 is better.

This way the parent hive still gets to make honey. Pulling 3 frames is swarm controller to me.  The hive replaces that in no time.
Bailey

[Michael Bush]

It depends on your goal.  You can keep a nuc just to keep a spare queen around, which can be done with one frame of brood and one frame of honey.  Or you can make a nuc with the expectation that it will grow up to a full size hive and make it through the winter or even make a honey crop.  If I want it to "grow up" I would make a strong split with 16 medium frames full of bees and honey and 16 more empty ones for it to grow.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beessplits.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnucs.htm

[10framer]

swamp that sounds more like a split.  if you're going for expansion that plus a super of foundation sounds like a good start then add more as needed.  things should be picking up down your way.  i would think clover would be in right now.

[Jim134]

I'm using all 8 frame medium boxes and I'm wondering about making a couple of nucs.  To make a nuc with medium frames how many medium brood frames should I use?  I'm thinking of two empty frames on the outsides, two honey/pollen frames inside of those, and then four frames of brood and brood+resources.  Sound about right?

Ed

The 8 frame medium boxes make a nice nuc as they are the same volume as a 5 frame deep.



                   BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)