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Author Topic: uses for nuc?  (Read 2784 times)

Offline tlynn

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uses for nuc?
« on: January 03, 2009, 08:52:34 pm »
I recently bought 2 nucs from Brushy Mountain along with some other hives components because everybody says you have to have some nucs ready, and I couldn't pass up the free shipping :-) .  I found out what you all mean after using one to shrink a weak hive  today.  Where they couldn't handle the space of a full deep before, they are full now in the nuc, well, almost. 

So my question is this - I understand using a nuc for catching a swarm and for the use I just experienced.  What else can I do with them? 

Offline rast

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Re: uses for nuc?
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2009, 09:06:58 pm »
 Splitting a hive.
 I use 10 frame boxes with slots cut in the inside of the front and back that I slide that plastic election sign stuff in so I can drop frames in as they grow without disrupting them. Can't use screen bottom boards or slat racks with them though.
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Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: uses for nuc?
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2009, 09:44:15 pm »
Splitting a hive.
 I use 10 frame boxes with slots cut in the inside of the front and back that I slide that plastic election sign stuff in so I can drop frames in as they grow without disrupting them. Can't use screen bottom boards or slat racks with them though.

Yeah you can, build your own like I did. 
As for other uses for a nuc:
1. Small hive cut outs.
2. Overwinter OB Hive.
3. Walk away splits.
4. Queen bank, cut a groove centered on each end (inside) for sliding a queen 2 frames of worker bees.  When you need to requeen just pull the 2 frames and insert into hive that needs the queen.
5. Raising Queens, a combination of #3 & 4 above.
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Offline Robo

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Re: uses for nuc?
« Reply #3 on: January 04, 2009, 09:17:26 am »
They make great oversized mailboxes too :-P  Good for the honey selling biz....
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison



Offline tlynn

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Re: uses for nuc?
« Reply #4 on: January 04, 2009, 09:31:12 am »
They make great oversized mailboxes too :-P  Good for the honey selling biz....

Haha!  Robo, what do you mean about the honey selling biz?  Like a display?

Offline mlewis48

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Re: uses for nuc?
« Reply #5 on: January 04, 2009, 09:55:54 am »
 They are one of the most usefull tools that you can have on stand by. Swarms, splits, a place to put a weak hive into to bring it back up to par. I had a nuc that needed repaired so I converted it into a nice toolbox, like the ones that are listed on the Brushy Mountain website. Since I make my own, I only had a few bucks in it and it will double as a swarm box if I need it.
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Offline BjornBee

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Re: uses for nuc?
« Reply #6 on: January 04, 2009, 10:34:41 am »
I use one for about all the reasons listed thus far. I always have one in the truck. And after awhile, they make a great place to throw trash, extra parts, and whatever else I need to find a place for something as I'm cleaning up at the end of a beeyard visit.  :-D
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Offline Robo

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Re: uses for nuc?
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2009, 12:12:27 pm »
Haha!  Robo, what do you mean about the honey selling biz?  Like a display?

Nothing like a beehive malibox in front of your house to get people's attention and let them know your a beekeeper  :-P
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Offline Michael Bush

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Re: uses for nuc?
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2009, 01:34:04 pm »
My website:  bushfarms.com/bees.htm en espanol: bushfarms.com/es_bees.htm  auf deutsche: bushfarms.com/de_bees.htm  em portugues:  bushfarms.com/pt_bees.htm
My book:  ThePracticalBeekeeper.com
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