Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Fishing-Nut on March 05, 2020, 10:51:05 AM

Title: Buying an over wintered nuc ??
Post by: Fishing-Nut on March 05, 2020, 10:51:05 AM
Any advantages to this? Looking at going and picking up a couple in the morning. 
Title: Re: Buying an over wintered nuc ??
Post by: FatherMichael on March 05, 2020, 04:27:44 PM
It's the best way to do it, as I understand.

The queen is already established and everyone is working together.

It should have two frames of brood, two of honey and pollen, and one mixed.

Be ready to feed them for 4-6 weeks after installing.
Title: Re: Buying an over wintered nuc ??
Post by: MikeyN.C. on March 05, 2020, 10:14:22 PM
If u are buying 5 frame nucs,  if local buy all u can.
Put them in 10 or 8 deeps. Give em starter strips . on the out sides of brood frames. Now you can feed , sugar water , but I have to understand when your nectar flow started, you don't feed in a flow.
Title: Re: Buying an over wintered nuc ??
Post by: cao on March 06, 2020, 12:08:31 PM
Advantage yes.  They are an established colony ready to go early in the spring(to catch the early flow).  They made it through the winter so they are prepared for your winter weather.
Title: Re: Buying an over wintered nuc ??
Post by: jalentour on March 06, 2020, 03:41:20 PM
If the queen is a 2019 queen I'd say low risk/high return. 
If the queen is a 2020 queen I'd probably pass.
Title: Re: Buying an over wintered nuc ??
Post by: MikeyN.C. on March 07, 2020, 03:20:30 PM
jt why would u pass on a '20 Queen ? He's in Georgia.
And bee's have been overwintered.