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Author Topic: Nucs vs. Package  (Read 9629 times)

Offline brunswick beeworks

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Nucs vs. Package
« on: March 08, 2008, 10:03:33 am »
I am building my apiary the quick but expensive way and wanted to get some opinions on packages vs nucs. I can get either 10 nucs or 10 3 pound packages on about the same date in the middle of April. The advantages to nucs are obvious, but in buying packages from a large bee seller I will have a better idea the variety of bee (in theory)

I will be putting the packages in HB's with drawn comb (unless I am told otherwise following this post) so the bees will have a head start and not have to draw comb.


Thoughts?

Jeff

Offline Cindi

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2008, 10:11:59 am »
Jeff, mostly what I wanted to do here was welcome you to our forums.  You have found the BEST place to get answers to all your questions.   You are starting out with 10, of whichever you figure out will suit your needs best. I would go with nucs personally.  Already well on their way to building up.  All your questions will be answered.

Why don't you take a few minutes to update your profile to tell us your location and also in the greetings forum, tell us about you too, when you have some spare time, no pressure.  Anyways, ask all your questions and remember there is no question that is not worthy of an answer, all questions are good.  We all began once upon a time with beekeeping too, we asked questions, many of them.  Have a wonderful and beautiful day, love our life.  Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline Cass Cohenour

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2008, 01:13:41 pm »
Go with the nucs. They have drawn comb, a laying queen, and brood in various stages. When you get the nucs they should be ready for another box to be placed atop it.

Offline Joseph Clemens

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2008, 02:13:06 pm »
I agree with Cass Cohenour, nucleus colonies are much the better way to establish a colony. Though it is fun to watch a swarm/artificial swarm create a hive from just bees and a queen -- it does take longer to become established and there is always the chance they will not succeed. On the other hand, nucs already have all the elements of a fully established colony, just on a reduced scale - scale it up and you're there.

5-frame nucleus colonies (nucs) are often sold where you bring your own box (super) and a replacement set of frames. You or the seller move the contents of the nuc into your box, then they are screened closed after dark, and away you go. Basically, you're only buying the bees and combs.


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Offline asprince

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2008, 02:22:50 pm »
Nuc get off to a faster start. Since you are using drawn comb the package would only be a few days behind the nuc. If there is a huge difference in the price and I had a good stash of drawn comb and I was buying 10, I would be tempted to use the packages.

Steve
Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resembalance to the first. - Ronald Reagan

Offline brunswick beeworks

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2008, 04:58:25 pm »
Steve,

That was my thought exactly.

I already have more than enough drawn comb to start the packages and the queen could start lay immediately. I'm really not expecting any honey from either scenario this year and like the idea of knowing what I'm getting. The nucs are from a small apiary that open mates and they aren't too sure of what they have in the first place, the packages are Italian - or at least as best they can regulate.

Jeff



Offline reinbeau

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2008, 06:21:25 pm »
Nucs, Jeff, and I think you're better off with the genetic diversity.  They're off and running already, why bother with packages?

Online Michael Bush

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2008, 09:09:58 pm »
To me the real question is what do you want to use for equipment and cell size?  If you want small cell or you want mediums or you want a top bar hive, then a package is preferred.  If you intend to use large cell in deeps, then the nuc is preferred.
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
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Offline reinbeau

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2008, 09:29:00 am »
To me the real question is what do you want to use for equipment and cell size?  If you want small cell or you want mediums or you want a top bar hive, then a package is preferred.  If you intend to use large cell in deeps, then the nuc is preferred.

I guess I don't see this conclusion.  There are nucs on small cell in mediums - while I haven't purchased small cell mediums yet, I know they are available.  We buy medium nucs every year.

Online Michael Bush

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2008, 12:27:05 pm »
>There are nucs on small cell in mediums - while I haven't purchased small cell mediums yet, I know they are available.

If you can find them, than that's a great plan.  Most nucs are large cell in deeps.
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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Offline saskbeeman

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #10 on: April 29, 2008, 12:23:28 pm »
Go for the nucs.  A nuc is set up with a laying queen and brood, and is busting ready to go.  If you buy one from a local supplier that raises the queens for the nucs, the genetics will be adapted to your region, and therefore should be able to give you optimal performance.

Offline Cindi

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2008, 11:33:43 pm »
Saskbeeman.  Welcome to our forum.  Nice to have another Canadian here, our numbers are increasing, hee, hee.  When you have a spare moment or two, why don't you tell us a little about yourself in the greetings forum, we all like to hear the stories and experiences of other beekeepers and non-beekeepers, and ones that are beekeepers to be.  I bet you could tell a tale or two.  Welcome, you will find this a great place to spend some time, you will make some new friends.  Have the best of this day and a wonderful life, Cindi
There are strange things done in the midnight sun by the men who moil for gold.  The Arctic trails have their secret tales that would make your blood run cold.  The Northern Lights have seen queer sights, but the queerest they ever did see, what the night on the marge of Lake Lebarge, I cremated Sam McGee.  Robert Service

Offline steveouk

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #12 on: April 30, 2008, 09:14:59 pm »
I got two NUCS and two packages, I'd say go with the packages , its allot more fun ! NUCS are a bit of an anti climax, you  pick them up and then set them down.

You also need to consider if you want small cell foundation or regular cell. I got 4 frame nucs and they seem to be drawing out the small cell foundation ok but the packages are drawing it out at a much faster rate.

Stephen

Offline doak

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Re: Nucs vs. Package
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2008, 11:41:17 pm »
Is that Brunswick Connecticut, or Brunswick Ga?
Or is it still hopelessly Lost.
doak ;)

 

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