Newbee starting two hives...June NUCS

Ghost · April 25, 2015, 01:01:25 AM

Good day folks.

Newbee to bee keeping! Bear with me...

I am looking to start two hives this year.
I am too late in the game to get May NUC's and the earliest I can get some is mid June.

I realize I won't likely get any honey this year. That's no problem.
I'm wondering by starting June NUC's will I be essentially building them up for next spring?

Cheers :)

Better.to.Bee.than.not · April 25, 2015, 02:04:54 AM

you do not have your area filled in, location can be important in these types of questions. Generally I'll say you can be fine though. not sure what you mean by essentially building them up for next spring, you will be building them up continuously and splitting them for every spring and year. June is ok to start. at least here in Michigan. I practice OTS queen rearing and typically go into June with new queens just fine to break the mite cycle while the queen is out mating and before she starts laying again. but I would def get on things if you are doing so.

BeeMaster2 · April 25, 2015, 06:25:18 AM

Ghost,
Welcome to Beemaster.
Like B2B said, location is important. My first year, my first nuc had a defective queen. The seller replaced it at the beginning of June. it still made 150 pounds of honey that year down here in Florida.
That is not the norm but you never know.
Jim

OldMech · April 25, 2015, 10:12:00 AM

Two hives is good!
June nucs are not uncommon. If it "IS" a nuc, with a laying queen and brood in all stages it should build up quickly.

Yes, your goal is to build them up. Not for next spring, but to get them through the winter. You need a moderately strong hive that is disease and relatively mite free. If they are healthy and strong going into winte rthe chaces of them surviving to spring is greatly increased.
The goal is to get all of your brood bodies filled with drawn comb, so they do not need to make as much wax next year. Making wax takes a lot of resources. if you have it all drawn they can concentrate those resources into making honey.. this is part of the reason first year hives do not often make a surplus of honey, it all went into making the wax... so the goal is to get the wax drawn, and the honey stores filled and ready for winter. Treat in August or so, and prep the hives well for winter.. after that you grit your teeth and wait!

http://www.outyard.net/wintering.html

Ghost · April 25, 2015, 01:12:32 PM

Ok thanks for the info guys.

I missed the May NUCS available.
I still might be able to get my hands on a couple NUCS in may - but it'd be a three hour drive one way.

What I meant by build up for spring was that I hope they get enough honey for their winter - and that I don't expect to harvest any.

mikecva · April 25, 2015, 02:10:01 PM

Welcome to the forum and beekeeping. You might want to look for a local beekeeping club as many have a mentoring program and extractors you can use (next year.) Ask as many questions as you like, that is what we are here for. . . teaching, learning and just sharing stories. -Mike

Ghost · April 25, 2015, 06:23:38 PM

Picked up my first hive kit today.
I'm still getting my June NUC - but I am buying a second established hive.
Wasn't aware this was option - but it is apparently.

So I'm committed. I'm going to set up my gear any day now.

sc-bee · April 25, 2015, 07:14:08 PM

Quote from: Ghost on April 25, 2015, 06:23:38 PM
Picked up my first hive kit today.
I'm still getting my June NUC - but I am buying a second established hive.
Wasn't aware this was option - but it is apparently.

So I'm committed. I'm going to set up my gear any day now.

And you still have not filled in your location...

Ghost · April 25, 2015, 08:06:39 PM

There we go :)

OldMech · April 26, 2015, 12:00:19 AM

Established hives are not usually recomended because they can bring a lot of trouble with them in the form of diseases and mites..
A nuc or package you can "usually" get away without treating that year, You have a year to do inspections, and learn your bees, as well as figuring out how you intend to treat.. with an established hive you need to KNOW what to do right now. Not an end all situation by any means, just means a steeper learning curve.

Does the established hive have good comb in it or is it time to rotate some of it out? Is it an established hive from someone getting out of beekeeping or someone selling established hives as opposed to nucs? IF.. they are getting out of beekeeping, it is likely nothing has been done to or for those bees recently.. Did you inspect the hive with the owner? Does the queen have a good laying pattern? How old is the queen? Do you need to requeen? Do you need to treat for mites? How many brood boxes? How many frames of brood?
As you can see, there is a bit to think about and ask.. JUST starting out, most of those things would be overlooked because the new beekeeper does not know yet what to look for and what questions to ask.
But then, thats why were here!

Maggiesdad · April 26, 2015, 01:05:39 PM

Welcome!