Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: rottybee on March 05, 2010, 11:07:23 AM

Title: medium nuc
Post by: rottybee on March 05, 2010, 11:07:23 AM
Hello again
In my excitement of getting equipment ready for my first bees, I have built a medium 5 frame nuc out of scrap material from when I was building my medium supers.  It is 6 5/8 deep.  Now I have been looking at this thing and thinking...It's SMALL. 
I know I'm suffering from information overload but what is this little box good for?
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: Michael Bush on March 05, 2010, 11:08:54 AM
A lot of things:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnucs.htm (http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnucs.htm)

And I usually install my packages in them...
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: rottybee on March 05, 2010, 11:27:03 AM
Quote from: Michael Bush on March 05, 2010, 11:08:54 AM
a lot of things:

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnucs.htm (http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnucs.htm)

And I usually install my packages in them...


Wow, lots of different sizes!  I have yet to see a 3 lb. package of bees but I just can't imagine them fitting in  this small box.  Guess I'll learn as I go.  Seems like the more I read the more confused I get.
By the way I believe it was on your recommendations to go with all same size equipment and because I've had 2 back surgery's, I will be going with all mediums.  Not only for the weight reduction but I like the sounds of being able to use the frames anywhere.   
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: tefer2 on March 05, 2010, 03:25:28 PM
  Most of the medium nucs are two boxes high . Two mediums equal one deep.
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: Michael Bush on March 06, 2010, 12:52:40 AM
Actually three mediums equals two deeps... two mediums equals about 1 1/3 deeps.
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: Jim134 on March 06, 2010, 06:25:01 AM
Quote from: tefer2 on March 05, 2010, 03:25:28 PM
 Most of the medium nucs are two boxes high . Two mediums equal one deep.


      5 deep frames 9 1/8" = 8 medium frames 6 1/4"

 2-10 frames deep boxes = 3-10  frames medium boxes

 1-5 frames deep nuc box = 1-8 frames medium box    


                BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: rottybee on March 06, 2010, 08:49:58 AM
Quote from: tefer2 on March 05, 2010, 03:25:28 PM
  Most of the medium nucs are two boxes high . Two mediums equal one deep.

OK, here we go with the confusion I was talking about.  Are you saying I need two?  From the link that Mike Bush posted, I thought they were used individually.  Remember, I'm a newbie.  I need these things explained. 
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: JP on March 06, 2010, 10:58:19 AM
Quote from: rottybee on March 06, 2010, 08:49:58 AM
Quote from: tefer2 on March 05, 2010, 03:25:28 PM
  Most of the medium nucs are two boxes high . Two mediums equal one deep.

OK, here we go with the confusion I was talking about.  Are you saying I need two?   From the link that Mike Bush posted, I thought they were used individually.  Remember, I'm a newbie.  I need these things explained. 

I believe what trefer is trying to tell you and I would concur is that bees will build rather quickly in a 1 medium nuc set up & you better be prepared for their growth or they'll swarm out on you.

A medium nuc is a temporary housing for just about any colony coming out of winter or going into winter.

In a flow they will bust those britches in a heartbeat!


...JP
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: Michael Bush on March 06, 2010, 02:35:13 PM
I put them in one.  But Brushy Mt. and others who have them sometimes sell a set of a top, bottom and two medium nuc boxes.
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: contactme_11 on March 06, 2010, 07:08:40 PM
You would not believe me if I told you how many empty single med. nucs I've sold in the last year. People must be using them for something...
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: rottybee on March 07, 2010, 04:33:45 PM
Quote from: Michael Bush on March 06, 2010, 02:35:13 PM
I put them in one.  But Brushy Mt. and others who have them sometimes sell a set of a top, bottom and two medium nuc boxes.

:) Thanks.
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: rottybee on March 07, 2010, 04:34:46 PM
Quote from: contactme_11 on March 06, 2010, 07:08:40 PM
You would not believe me if I told you how many empty single med. nucs I've sold in the last year. People must be using them for something...

Does this mean you don't use them?
Title: Re: medium nuc
Post by: contactme_11 on March 07, 2010, 09:16:31 PM
I do sometimes, but I usually do walk away splits on my medium hive bodies so I don't use medium nucs often. When I do use them I run them as doubles. If you run all mediums than single nucs they are perfect for queen raising/mating. Unfortunately a med. nuc is way too small to use as a swarm trap.