I am a rookie on bees, I need advice

[chickenhead]

I recently bought a brand new 5 frame nuc on ebay. This will be the first time I have ever had bees. For this first year can I use just the nuc alone to keep the bees in? Or do I have something else for them to stay in. I have read quite a bit on this stuff. Yet, I am so confused, sorry if this is a stupid question I would just like to do this right. What bees do you recommend for a beginner? Where is one of the cheaper places to order a package of bees. Whenever the package of bees get here, can I just dump them all in the nuc, and put in the queen also, or since I just have a nuc, do I have to do it a different way?

[Moonshae]

You can't keep your bees in the nuc all year. You'll need a full deep box (assuming the nuc is a 5-frame deep) to move it into right away. That will need a bottom board, inner cover, telescoping cover. In a month to 6 weeks, you'll need to add a second deep box to the hive. You'll need management equipment, too...veil, hive tool, smoker, etc. Pick up Beekeeping for Dummies now, and see what you're going to need.

[chickenhead]

How long am I able to keep the bees in the nuc?

[asciibaron]

How long am I able to keep the bees in the nuc?

the goal is to get the queen to expand the hive to increase productivity.  if they are stuck small quarters, there won't be room for pollen, brood, and honey.  leaving them in the nuc is the recipe for a swarm or failed hive.  typically, you should move them into a 10 frame body within a few days of receiving the nuc.

-Steve

[indypartridge]

Hello and welcome!

Glad to hear that you are interested in becoming a beekeeper. The tutorials on this site were one of the first things I did several years ago when I began thinking about bees. In particular, note that there's an entire section on how a nuc is used.
http://www.beemaster.com/honeybee/beehome.htm

A few additional suggestions:
1) In your profile, update your location. Much of beekeeping is "local". There are a great many differences in how you keep bees depending on your local climate.
2) There's a wealth of information that can be found with the 'search' function on this site. Many times when I have a question, I find that it has already been asked & answered and I don't have to wait for people to reply.
3) Get connected with a local beekeeping club. Find a mentor. Many times clubs offer beginning beekeeping classes. It's another great way to learn about bees!

[jimmyo]

welcome to the forum.
  I recommend books to get you started.  "First lessons in beekeeping" is a good one. Everyone here will have a favorite book.  Find a local beekeeping club and sometimes you will find someone that will help you along.
  Jim   

[Ross]

It is possible to keep bees in a nuc for a season or two, but only if you manage them.  That means removing brood frames regularly to keep the population down.  Since you have no other hives, that is problematic.  If you have other hives, you just donate the brood to them and keep feeding the nuc empty frames to draw.  We do it here in 5 frame mediums to bank queens when we don't really have a flow to raise a full hive, i.e. later in the summer.

[Cindi]

Chickenhead. Welcome to our forum, you have indeed found the right place to ask your questions, all your questions.  Something I must say, is, never, ever think that any question is dumb or doesn't deserve an answer.  We were all beginning beekeepers once upon a time, some here have never kept bees and are getting them.  That is how we learn, ask the questions.  Enjoy your stay with us, you will make some new and good friends.  By the way, where on earth did you get your name from, it is a good one.  Have a wonderful and most beautiful day, Cindi

[Michael Bush]

>I recently bought a brand new 5 frame nuc on ebay. This will be the first time I have ever had bees. For this first year can I use just the nuc alone to keep the bees in?

During spring expansion they will probably outgrow it in two weeks.

> Or do I have something else for them to stay in.

You will need a hive.  My preference is all eight frame equipment.  I'd get a screened bottom board, six eight frame boxes, a cover (migratory or inner and outer) and about forty frames.

> What bees do you recommend for a beginner?

Anything except Africanized...
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesraces.htm

> Where is one of the cheaper places to order a package of bees.

There are none.  :)  And it's probably too late to find any, but it's a good time to look.  You might find someone canceled their order or didn't show up.  Try your local bee club.  They would know if someone gets a truckload in.

>Whenever the package of bees get here, can I just dump them all in the nuc

You can start them in the nuc (dump in the bees and release the queen and put the frames back in)  but they will outgrow it in about two weeks.