confused about NUC's

[slacker361]

OK I thought nucs where just to transfer a few frames and some bees to a new home, the hive. But I see people have many nucs in a bee yard. Why? why dont they just put them in hives

[VolunteerK9]

Probably the main reason is that a 5 frame nuc has less area for a small split/swarm to defend, manage, heat, etc. What I plan on doing this Winter, is to build several 5 frame medium nuc bodies to expand my numbers-maybe sell one or two along the way.

[Keith13]

I use them for small swarms as well until they establish themselves. Down here SHB will get in a small colony pretty quick if they have that much to defend.

Keith

[AllenF]

They are also cheaper to build and weigh less that 10 frame hives.  Now if you check your bees a lot, you can just put 5 or 6 frames in a 10 frame box in order to keep the hiding spots for SHB, but you have to keep an eye on the growth in that hive.  If they get away from you, you will be digging out bad comb from the box lid.   

[JP]

Less room to defend

Better heat retention for smaller colonies

Less space usually equates to faster growth, which could be good and bad as with a smaller area they can also get congested that much quicker.

Mating nucs: best way to make good quality queens is a hive stuffed to the gills with bees that have been fed properly. Nucs get it done with less space and effort on the beek's part.


...JP

[bee-nuts]

Its a lot easier to move a five frame to another yard then back again than a full box if you are making new colonie/s.  Now times that by 50, 100 or what have you.

[slacker361]

how high do you stack the nucs?