{"id":7016,"date":"2022-01-08T16:43:46","date_gmt":"2022-01-08T21:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/?p=7016"},"modified":"2022-09-11T17:27:37","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T21:27:37","slug":"what-is-a-nuc-nucleus-bee-colonies-nuc-boxes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beekeepingfornewbies.com\/what-is-a-nuc-nucleus-bee-colonies-nuc-boxes\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is A Nuc? | Nucleus Bee Colonies & Nuc Boxes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated on September 11th, 2022<\/p>\n

A beginning beeper’s initial encounter with nucs is when acquiring their first bees. Buying bees, you choose to obtain them in one of two formats: a bee package or a nuc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Nuc'” (pronounced “newk”) is beekeeping shorthand for a small nucleus colony housed in a mini-hive or “nuc box.” With resources from an established hive, a nuc consists of a queen, a small number of other bees, and frames with food and brood in various development. Among other uses, nucs can start or expand apiaries.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if you acquire your first bees in packages, beginners should familiarize themselves with nucs as beneficial resources for their bee yards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article discusses buying nucleus colonies and using nuc boxes to expand your apiary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is A Nucleus Colony?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A nucleus colony is “a fully balanced colony in miniature.”[1]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a complete colony, a nuc has a laying queen, a relatively small number of bees,  plus frames with capped brood in various stages of development, pollen, nectar, and possibly some honey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is A Nuc Box?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A nuc box is a small hive box for housing a nucleus colony. These boxes hold fewer frames than standard 8-frame and 10-frame hive boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reduced size of the nuc box provides an excellent environment for brood rearing. The small space gives bees better control of the humidity and temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small nuc boxes transport easily, making them ideal for selling small bee colonies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sizes And Types Of Nuc Boxes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nuc boxes are come in various sizes and materials to meet your particular needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common nuc box is a 5-frame deep. However, nuc boxes can be 6, 4, or even 2-frame hives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sellers of nuc colonies tend to use relatively inexpensive boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waxed cardboard<\/strong> boxes with vent holes are the least expensive nuc boxes.  Although they are inexpensive, these boxes often need to be purchased in bulk from suppliers, making them cost-effective for commercial operations. Our first few nucs came in these reusable cardboard boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bees are also available in plastic nuc boxes<\/strong>. These boxes have openings for ventilation and to set up bottles to feed sugar water. You can get plastic nuc boxes on BetterBee<\/a>. We acquired overwintered nucs from BetterBee<\/a> that came in these boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wood boxes<\/strong> that stand up to the elements are better to raise your own nucleus colonies. You can build a simple plywood box yourself or purchase one from Dadant<\/a>. Dadant’s plywood boxes have an opening for jar feeding and migratory covers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

BetterBee sells true mini-hives<\/strong><\/a> (deep and medium) complete with a telescoping outer cover, inner cover, bottom board (solid or screened), and an entrance reducer.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Wood nuc boxes: 5-frame deeps with covers and bottom board.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Resource hives, also called double nucs<\/strong>, are a combination of side-by-side nucs that share a bottom board, but each has its own inner cover and entrance. Heat retention is easier with a shared common wall. However, both colonies can contribute to a honey super on top.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Resource Hive \/ Double Nuc \/ Duplex Hive - Something New!<\/div><\/div>
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