Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: slaphead on January 25, 2009, 01:23:51 PM

Title: Nuc or Package
Post by: slaphead on January 25, 2009, 01:23:51 PM
Which of these two approaches is best for rapid development of a new colony?  Is it typical in the Pacific Northwest for both to be available at the same time?

Thanks,

SH
Title: Re: Nuc or Package
Post by: JP on January 25, 2009, 01:36:58 PM
SH, can't answer the second question but to answer the first, nuc definitely way to go for fastest build up, hands down.


...JP
Title: Re: Nuc or Package
Post by: steveouk on January 25, 2009, 02:21:10 PM
depends on what you want to do with regard to foundation and cell size. I prefer packages than nuc's more fun, more to do initially abd nibe where introduced to small cell foundation straight away. Nucs just arrive and sit there i had issues with both the nucs i had , it may of been those  particualr bee's from that beekeeper. my packages on the other hand out preformed anything i had even begun to imagine that they would do.
Title: Re: Nuc or Package
Post by: slaphead on January 25, 2009, 02:38:03 PM
JP,

Thanks.  We have relatively cool summers in this part of the world and after last year's disaster I want to give the girls the best start I can.  Very much appreciate the insight, thank you.

SH
Title: Re: Nuc or Package
Post by: hardtime on January 25, 2009, 03:10:46 PM
nuc  i say. i heard it is abouy 50/50 on package thay will make it the first  winter .
Title: Re: Nuc or Package
Post by: suprstakr on January 25, 2009, 04:17:01 PM
Nukes it is , package bees come from different hives , and takes time to organize while nukes it is sama hive you just add a queen . :)
Title: Re: Nuc or Package
Post by: slaphead on January 25, 2009, 04:31:40 PM
It's great to get such a clear answer.

Thank you.

SH
Title: Re: Nuc or Package
Post by: Michael Bush on January 25, 2009, 05:14:05 PM
>Which of these two approaches is best for rapid development of a new colony?  Is it typical in the Pacific Northwest for both to be available at the same time?

When it comes to all things being equal (such as you want deeps and deep nucs are available, you want mediums and mediums are available, or you don't want put them in a Warre' or a TBH, they are on small cell and you want small cell or they are on large cell and you want large cell) then the nuc is an advantage.  But there's nothing wrong with a package and it is simpler if you don't have them on the size frames or cell size you want to use.