First Hive - getting a nuc - my hive frames are all foundationless.

[Heather Jernigan]

I am getting my first hive (all 8-frame mediums. I'll have 5 boxes total) and will be getting a nuc (they are arranging a medium frame nuc for me) at the end of May. The nuc is wax foundation, but I ordered foundationless frames for my hive. What is the best way to set this up?
After much reading, my current "plan" is to incorporate the nuc so that brood frames are in the middle of two medium hive bodies with the foundationless frames on the sides, then add the medium supers on top with an existing frame of honey as a guide once the two main hive bodies are almost full.
...Does that sound like a good plan to everyone else?

[chux]

Is it a 5-frame NUC? I would put the nuc frames in one 8-frame medium. Put the nuc frames side-by-side, all on one side of the box. I guess that will leave 3 foundationless frames on the other side of the box. The bees will start building comb on those frames. One reason I would put all nuc frames in one box, on one side of the box (Not splitting the middle) is because the bees will likely already have honey on the outside frames. You don't want to break the order of the frames too much. If you put the frames to one side, the bees will only need to build comb on one side. This means they can leave the honey and pollen stores on the other side where they are. Close to brood for feed. After the bees get that 7th comb built out, I would super. Pull up the nuc frame on the other side of the box, which will probably be a honey frame. If they are building quickly, you could possibly pull up two frames.

I would avoid giving them too much space too soon. They will not draw faster if you give them more boxes too soon. You invite trouble with Small hive beetles. You can discourage the bees. Just my opinion. Worth what you paid for it. Have fun!!! I run foundationless too. 

[mikecva]

I would put all 5 nuc frames in the center keeping the order of the frames the same. If the nuc frames are very populated I would add a second box, if not wait a few days until your brood box is 80% drawn out then add your second brood box.

If you change you profile to include your town/city state/country we can help you better. Feal free to ask as many questions as you like. We are here to help each other and to learn.  -Mike