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Author Topic: First Time for a NUC; Would Appreciate Some Advice  (Read 1932 times)

Offline donm

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First Time for a NUC; Would Appreciate Some Advice
« on: April 28, 2009, 10:41:11 pm »
I've never purchased a NUC before this year.  I always chased swarms.  I brought 2 NUCs 2 weeks ago and have been feeding 1:1 since then.  They are in a deep.  I inspected today and found that one hive had only drawn out one side of a frame of foundation; the other none.  Both appear to have very good laying queens and both are up in numbers.  Is this the norm for a NUC?  Any thoughts out there?

Offline Michael Bush

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Re: First Time for a NUC; Would Appreciate Some Advice
« Reply #1 on: April 28, 2009, 11:00:44 pm »
Yes, that's normal with foundation.  They often drawn one side and not the other.
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Offline donm

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Re: First Time for a NUC; Would Appreciate Some Advice
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2009, 07:10:18 pm »
Thanks Micheal.  I guess I expected more progress after two weeks.  I guess some of the problem is a very light spring flow thus far. 

Offline iddee

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Re: First Time for a NUC; Would Appreciate Some Advice
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2009, 07:46:30 pm »
A light flow and the possibility of a lot of empty cells in the five drawn frames that came with the nuc. They will not draw new wax until it is needed.
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Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: First Time for a NUC; Would Appreciate Some Advice
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2009, 01:08:45 am »
If the bees draw only one side of the foundation it is possible they don't have enough bees to cover the frames.  Bees will only build comb, store honey, produce brood, where there is enough bees to cover the combs.  3-4 per square inch.  If they have enough bees try flipping the frame so the undrawn side is near to the cluster area, the area with heaviest population. 
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