Nuc Entrance

[Bush_84]

I will be putting together another 5 nucs here soon. I have been considering entrance style. I often see three styles. A bottom board similar to a regular hive. A small slot cut out of the bottom of the nuc. Then a hole drilled into the nuc. As far as ease of use I like the idea of a fixed bottom. I have one set with the holes drilled and slot in the bottom, but haven't used them enough to form an opinion. I'd lean towards drilled hole. What does everybody else use/think?

[iddee]

I prefer regular bottom board and robber screen. It's all personal opinion, as they all work.

[jalentour]

I like the bottom board and robber screen as well.
What will you be doing with the nucs?  If you're going to sell them cardboard might be a good option as well.  I like keeping my woodware. 

[BeeMaster2]

I do not like the bottom entrance, especially a small one. I just lost a swarm that moved into a nuc with a 3/8' x 1 1/2" opening in the bottom. I think they over heated and dead bees clogged up the opening, by the time my wife came home and found it at noon, 99% of the hive was dead. Very upsetting.
I closed up the bottom of it and every nuc like it and drilled holes in the middle of the front of them and added holes with screens around the boxes. This way they don't get clogged up.
Jim

[220]

I made mine with a bottom board and full width entrance. I then made a few inserts I can push into the openings to reduce them to 1".
Was planning on making increased sizes but so far I have found if Im getting traffic jambs of bees with a 1" opening they handle the full width OK.

[Blacksheep]

The bigger the opening the harder is is to guard so Beetles and wax moths can enter !

[cao]

I like the separate bottom board.  I made entrance reducers that I nailed in place.  It reduced the entrance to 3/8 x 1.  Robber screens are a neccessity without a strong flow.  I like the option of adding boxes under if necessary that a fixed bottom won't allow.  It also makes it easier to combine nucs when necessary.

[Bush_84]

As far as purpose I guess I'm hoping they serve multiple functions. Ya I'll sell a few. I'll also use them for increase. Queen rearing/mating. Overwintering. Swarm traps. If I do sell some I'll likely require the return of the box.