Converting deep nucs to medium hives

divemaster1963 · April 01, 2016, 07:36:32 PM

Yes but with all the weight way out front the joilt on the pallet when the frames shifted in the boxes is all it took. Kind like water in a tank on a trailer. If I had had a forklift with the hives closer to center mass it probly would have happened

hjon71 · April 01, 2016, 07:43:07 PM

Quote from: DuaneThe deep frames below the brood nest had pollen and looked like some fresh nectar scattered around.

This is your opportunity to remove the deep boxes and deep frames.
Personally, I'd remove the whole bottom box(deep). Get amedium box. Cut the comb from the bottom of the medium frames and put them in the new medium.
Now you need to decide, finish the box with medium new frames or cut the comb from the deep frames and rubber band into medium ones.
Then place the new box with all medium frames on top and let the bees sort it out from there.
Conversion complete.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

OldMech · April 03, 2016, 05:15:17 AM

if you want to switch to mediums, spring is the time to do it. I may have posted this before, but, dont get into a great hurry. Pull the empty deep, and put a medium box on top, let them draw it and manage them as normal. In this set up you should end the year with your bees being ready for winter in a single deep at the bottom and two mediums on top....
Next spring, when the bees are all at the top, pull the last deep out, and put a new medium on top. the two year plan removes all the pain of using medium frames in a deep, and doesnt force the drawing of all new comb in a single year, so you should still get a honey crop, provided you have a decent year/flow. No worries, less struggle.
You can then cut the removed deeps down to mediums. If the deep comb is good, you can even cut the bottom off of the deep frames and nail/staple and glue a new bottom board on to re use the comb. Depending on how frugal and energetic you are.

okiefarmer · April 04, 2016, 03:17:34 PM

I haven't started with bees yet, a little hospital visit set me back this winter but gave me time to study on how I want to start with bees.

I have decided that I want to use all mediums for my future bees, but some deeps may be necessary. Locally sourced bees are available but they will be in deep nucs most likely, it seems easier to transfer them directly to deeps and hopefully by the following spring be able to pull an empty deep. Once you get things going and able to over winter the bees successfully and not needing replacements the deeps could be cut down to mediums.

How often would a person actually lift a bottom deep?

Duane · April 04, 2016, 06:52:28 PM

The only difference with me was I was also switching to 8-frame boxes. I only had 2 10-frame deeps. Otherwise, you're right, not much worries with deeps at the bottom. Other than you can't swap things.

Duane · April 04, 2016, 07:08:34 PM

Thanks for the promptings to take advantage of the spring opportunity. I think I would have wavered otherwise. Did it today, but saw they had maybe more pollen and nectar in it. But I saw one frame to the side that had webbing and maybe caught a glimpse of a small hive beetle. That told me to quit hanging on and get rid of it.

I have a concept of what to do in working bees, but the implementation doesn't work out so well. I tried to plan and have everything I needed, but then I forget and move things that end up in my way. It took a long time, the bees were riling up more and more, and for a moment, panic almost set in as I saw all these upset bees flying around. Then I remembered I had a decent veil and they couldn't get me. So proceeded do my work and didn't worry about them. Took way longer than it should, but guess practice is needed and so I got it. Hope it helps in the future.

I put the deep that had the pollen and nectar in the frames and some bees on them to the side with a top on it, but the entrance free. Will they take the pollen out and use it? Or will they think they are queenless and become egg-laying workers?

cao · April 04, 2016, 08:46:12 PM

Welcome okiefarmer.

Quote from: okiefarmer on April 04, 2016, 03:17:34 PM
How often would a person actually lift a bottom deep?

The answer is not very often, unless you are moving it. I have several hives that have a deep on the bottom with mediums above. I try to overwinter with the deep and two mediums. The only drawback (which at times can be a big one) is the lack of interchangeability of the frames. The hives that I have that are all mediums don't have that problem.

Eric Bosworth · April 05, 2016, 08:02:04 AM

Quote from: divemaster1963 on April 01, 2016, 07:36:32 PM
Yes but with all the weight way out front the joilt on the pallet when the frames shifted in the boxes is all it took. Kind like water in a tank on a trailer. If I had had a forklift with the hives closer to center mass it probly would have happened

hummm... I'll keep that in mind. I think I have another solution... Especially if I am welding and creating my own forks anyway. If I build some type of back I can strap them down and strap around them to the back.

okiefarmer · April 06, 2016, 05:04:18 PM

cao thanks for the welcome.

GSF · April 07, 2016, 08:07:49 AM

Okie, we all welcome you. Great website & forums. Plenty of folks here able and willing to help.

okiefarmer · April 07, 2016, 11:00:08 AM

GSF, This is a nice welcoming place, the understandable information here is amazing along with the atmosphere it is shared in is outstanding. I'm on some other forums for other things that share a wealth of information but there are egos and attitudes that get in the way.

Dallasbeek · April 07, 2016, 11:24:48 AM

Quote from: okiefarmer on April 07, 2016, 11:00:08 AM
GSF, This is a nice welcoming place, the understandable information here is amazing along with the atmosphere it is shared in is outstanding. I'm on some other forums for other things that share a wealth of information but there are egos and attitudes that get in the way.

Egos? We have egos and attitudes to spare. We just keep them hidden in the Coffee House.