Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: van from Arkansas on June 29, 2019, 09:28:16 PM

Title: Pic of bearded nuc.
Post by: van from Arkansas on June 29, 2019, 09:28:16 PM
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I need to give more space to this hive.  Two choices: add a fourth nuc, or move into 2 deeps.  I have never made a nuc tower of 4 nucs so I seek advice.

So, any ideas on:
1.  four each 5 frame nuc?

Or

2.  Two each 10 frame langstrof?

Usually I would move a nuc like the one pictured, into 2 hive body consisting of 2 each 10 frame deeps.  I can handle the nucs so easily compared to the heavier 8-10 frame.

Thanks for the thoughts.
Van
Title: Re: Pic of bearded nuc.
Post by: BeeMaster2 on June 29, 2019, 09:53:24 PM
Van,
All depends on your plan. Do you have all of the langstrouths you need, if so make nucs.
Jim Altmiller
Title: Re: Pic of bearded nuc.
Post by: iddee on June 29, 2019, 10:26:36 PM
Arkansas, tornado ally, 2 deeps.
Title: Re: Pic of bearded nuc.
Post by: cao on June 29, 2019, 11:11:32 PM
I got one that is five mediums tall.  At the time of the last box addition, I didn't have any bottom boards to move it into so I just added another box.  If you got the equipment, I'd vote for the two 10 frame deeps.
Title: Re: Pic of bearded nuc.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 30, 2019, 04:25:28 AM
Quote from: iddee on June 29, 2019, 10:26:36 PM
Arkansas, tornado ally, 2 deeps.

Agree with iddee, I have transferred almost all of my three high nucs into 10 framers. Actually some of mine were 4 high. No regrets.
Phillip
Title: Re: Pic of bearded nuc.
Post by: AR Beekeeper on June 30, 2019, 09:26:03 AM
Van;  I overwintered 8 nucs in 5 deep frame boxes, 3 boxes per nuc, and 1 nuc in 4 boxes.  I did not have them strapped as you keep yours and they did not blow over.  With yours strapped down you should not have any trouble with them falling over.   
Title: Re: Pic of bearded nuc.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 30, 2019, 09:39:29 AM
I found it much easier to inspect this amount of bees in 10 frame boxes than the stacked up 5 framers. Just my experience and works better for me. I have found the 5 frame nucs are great for building a hive but from now on, I will transfer to 10 framers as soon as the top 5 frame box (second) reaches its third full frame of of drawn out comb filled with brood. This gives 8 frames to transfer into a 10 frame box, leaving two empty frames for the bees to work with. This happened fast and early for me this spring, I was amazed at how fast they built up coming out of winter.
Phillip
Title: Re: Pic of bearded nuc.
Post by: Ben Framed on June 30, 2019, 10:00:28 AM
Quote from: Ben Framed on June 30, 2019, 09:39:29 AM
I found it much easier to inspect this amount of bees in 10 frame boxes than the stacked up 5 framers. Just my experience and works better for me. I have found the 5 frame nucs are great for building a hive but from now on, I will transfer to 10 framers as soon as the top 5 frame box (second) reaches its third full frame of of drawn out comb filled with brood. This gives 8 frames to transfer into a 10 frame box, leaving two empty frames for the bees to work with. This happened fast and early for me this spring, I was amazed at how fast they built up coming out of winter.
Phillip

Plus, all these now emptied nucs are neatly stacked in my shop, filled with brand new frames, ready to go into action as late season splits to overwinter, to build new colonies to go into action as full hives next spring. Doing it all over again. Love it!
Phillip