DIY mini nuc option's

[Finman]

Lots of ways to do it.

I could buy laying queens from south Europe, but I do have not bees for them and I do not need more hives.

But if mininucs are a door to happines, that is good.

 

[wightbees]

I have read on here that some experience high lose of Queens when running them as Quads . Is this not the case with you MP only asking as if I'm going to build a load I need to get it right.
Thanks for the input

 

[Michael Palmer]

I don't get it. Our friend from Finland has nothing good to say about anything. Friend Finman, stop being so critical. Your way isn't the only way. It's the way of a small operation and a small operator. Grow up, and accept there are other ways that are very acceptable when applied to that operation. Some of us are raising queens commercially, which multiplies all the usual issues. In fact, the challenges we face, and overcome, make your opinions laughable.

I'm sorry to talk this way to you, but come on. If you haven't got anything positive to add, zip it.

 

[Michael Palmer]

I have read on here that some experience high lose of Queens when running them as Quads . Is this not the case with you MP only asking as if I'm going to build a load I need to get it right.
Thanks for the input

I've had high losses running all configurations of mating nucs. Also, excellent results in the same.

 

[wightbees]

So basically there's no right way, as always with bees lol
How about the mini frames, do you feel making a complete little frame is needed, would Top Bar frames work?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Are those Quads for national hives HM ? Do you have any pics showing frames?
Many thanks

Yes, or commercial, frames are half length national shallow, hoffman spaced.

 

[For want of a better word]

I don't get it. Our friend from Finland has nothing good to say about anything. Friend Finman, stop being so critical. Your way isn't the only way. It's the way of a small operation and a small operator. Grow up, and accept there are other ways that are very acceptable when applied to that operation. Some of us are raising queens commercially, which multiplies all the usual issues. In fact, the challenges we face, and overcome, make your opinions laughable.

I'm sorry to talk this way to you, but come on. If you haven't got anything positive to add, zip it.

Nos da

 

[wightbees]

HM have you cut the lugs short or are they still standard?

 

[Hivemaker.]

HM have you cut the lugs short or are they still standard?

short, 19mm.

 

[Hachi]

Can someone direct me to reading about this/these method(s) please?

Thanks

 

[wightbees]

Thanks HM

 

[beebreeder]

The frames look like this.

 

[wightbees]

Thanks Beebreeder

 

[Parsonage Bees]

(2nd year beginner here, with just 3 colonies)

Thinking of rearing a few queens and nucs this year starting with Nicot cells and still trying to work out the process from there.

Into a cell builder (not worked this out yet), then. . .

I was thinking of putting 2 dividers in a standard National BB (or, just occurred to me, a standard super) and letting the strong colony draw it out giving 3 x 3 frame mating nucs.

Is this a plan? Would mini-nucs be better? I'm thinking that I could reuse the drawn frames and, taking the dividers out, I could reuse the box.

. . . . Ben

 

[madasafish]

(2nd year beginner here, with just 3 colonies)

Thinking of rearing a few queens and nucs this year starting with Nicot cells and still trying to work out the process from there.

Into a cell builder (not worked this out yet), then. . .

I was thinking of putting 2 dividers in a standard National BB (or, just occurred to me, a standard super) and letting the strong colony draw it out giving 3 x 3 frame mating nucs.

Is this a plan? Would mini-nucs be better? I'm thinking that I could reuse the drawn frames and, taking the dividers out, I could reuse the box.

. . . . Ben

I use mini nucs and 5 frame jumbo Lang nucs and Fat Beeman (Youtube) size nucs which are somewhere 1/3rd of the way from mini nucs to 5 frame nucs.

5 Frame nucs are easy as are 3.Basically same as full size hives..

But small mini nucs require careful attention to how you set them up, populate and feed them. I suggest if you want to go down that route either talk to someone who has expertise in that field or see if your Association uses them.. so you can get hands on experience.Or read a lot and make a written plan##
The advantage of mini nucs is they require fewer bees to populate - v important in spring, are MUCH easier to inspect and find the queen - and can be placed easily...which is very important if you end up raising over 10 queens or you garden/apiary may get flooded with nucs everywhere(not a good idea - robbing).


## I make plans written as if I am an idiot.. listing all the steps required by date. If you cannot do it on paper, you have less chance of doing it in real life.

 

[Parsonage Bees]

Thanks madasafish. Written plan. I agree.

Last year I built them up to a double brood box and then did a split and it ended up being rather late. I'll know better this year when they should be expanding.

Not over ambitious. Three nucs with mated queens by the end of the year will do me. I've space for them.

Sorry wightbees for hijacking your thread. I'm also trying to work out what kit I'm going to make or modify to raise a few extra queens this year.

. . . . Ben

 

[wightbees]

I also like the look of those folding frames, one national brood frames becomes three once folded. Anyone tried these, very simple to make.

 

[Goran]

This year must find a time to use them..

 

[Parsonage Bees]

...... those folding frames, one national brood frames becomes three once folded. ........

Not falling for it

 

[Hivemaker.]

Not falling for it

http://www.dave-cushman.net/bee/3foldfr.html