Nuc Installation into Hives

[Pond Creek Farm]

I ordered two nucs from Don Kutchenmeister (aka Fatbeeman), and they are to be shipped in mid April.  (I might add parenthetically, that Mr. Kutchenmeister was very pleasant, gave great advice, and endured many silly questions from me. I enjoyed my conversation with him very much).  In any event, I have never bought a nuc, and it occurred to me (after I hung up) that I have no idea what to do with these things when they arrive. What exactly does one do wit a nuc on arrival?  How does the transition from nuc box to hive take place?  Is feeding necessary?  Should I expect the nuc to produce honey its first year? 

[ArmucheeBee]

I'm going up to Don's house March 15th to pick up my packages!!  He is very nice.  I started beeking in July and learned almost everything from this forum and a friend.  Pull up the videos found here and the how-to's on the Beemaster main page.  Don likes the idea of leaving the nucs as nucs (stacking up) the first year instead of putting them directly into a 10-frame.  We discussed that last week.  If you need quick info, just call him back.  It's a blast, except stings!  I now defer to those more experienced.

[iddee]

The simplest is to have your hive setting on it's stand where you are going to leave them. Remove 6 frames from the center of the box. When your nuc arrives, smoke them lightly and pull each carefully and place it in your hive. Then replace enough of your frames to fill the box. Arrange the frames tightly together, leaving any extra space equally on the two outsides. Feed them until you are ready to add honey supers, or until they stop taking the feed.

A nuc can produce excess honey the first year if the conditions are right.

[Brian D. Bray]

I ordered two nucs from Don Kutchenmeister (aka Fatbeeman), and they are to be shipped in mid April.  (I might add parenthetically, that Mr. Kutchenmeister was very pleasant, gave great advice, and endured many silly questions from me. I enjoyed my conversation with him very much).  In any event, I have never bought a nuc, and it occurred to me (after I hung up) that I have no idea what to do with these things when they arrive.

We all have those I shoula asked or shoulda saids after the fact.

What exactly does one do wit a nuc on arrival? 

Set it up were you want your hives to be.

How does the transition from nuc box to hive take place? 

You can transfer into a standard box a day or 2 later or, as I prefer, wait until they draw out and occupy a 2nd nuc box super then transfer them over to the standard box with some of the frames going into a standard super.  That way you have a 2 story standard hive.  Using my preferred method you'll actually end up with a hive in better condition and development over the 1st option.

Is feeding necessary? /quote]

No, not necessary but some like to do it anyway.

Should I expect the nuc to produce honey its first year? 

No, but odds are much better than if it were a package.

[Windy Ridge Apiary]

Tell me more about these nucs. How much are they $$? How are you getting them and how do you get a hold of this guy?

[indypartridge]

Tell me more about these nucs. How much are they $$? How are you getting them and how do you get a hold of this guy?

Here is his website:
http://www.geocities.com/fatbeeman/

[tillie]

The thing nobody told me about installing a nuc is that all the bees don't go into the hive.  Some stay clinging to the walls of the nuc.  I called people frantically to find out how to get the last bees into the hive.  The answer is:  Stand the nuc box right in front of the hive after you've installed it.  Leave it for overnight and tomorrow all the bees will be in the hive. 

There are several posts with pictures on my blog about installing a nuc

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2008/04/how-to-install-nuc.html

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2006/04/moving-bees-from-nucs-to-hives.html

There are tons of posts on my blog about nucs - search the label.

Linda T in Atlanta

[jdb1930]

I installed 2 nucs last year and they did very well all summer.

I moved all the frames of the nuc into the middle of a hive body and filled the rest with new frames (undrawn comb, because I did not have any drawn comb  :roll:). I shook most of the bees that were left in the nuc into the hive body as well, and left the nuc laying on its side in front of the hive body over night. The next morning I retrieved the nuc and left them alone for a week, just like I would for a package of bees.

I did keep them well fed with sugar water.

[tillie]

BTW, I don't think there is a need to smoke a nuc as you install it. 

Linda T in Atlanta

[Pond Creek Farm]

Thanks Linda.  I will check your blog out for further advice on the installation.  I, too, was curious how I would get the hangers on out of the nuc box and into the hive.  I like the idea of letting them just migrate over as the sun goes down.