Nuc foundation

[paul.h]

I have just finished a 5 frame nuc and am getting ready to place an order to Brushy Mountain for some stuff. I need to know what foundation to order. My nucs are 10.5 inches tall. I can cut them down if necessary. I am going to order an uncapping tank and some frames and foundation. I am really confused on the foundation I need. My son and I will try to capture a couple of swarms and we already have a package ordered along with our existing hive that we can split this spring. I would like to stack the nucs and try to keep the bees in the nucs for a while.

Thanks for any advice. Paul

[Kieck]

Deeps are closest to the size you've made. If you want to order frames and foundation, you should cut your nuc boxes down to 9 1/2 or 9 5/8 inches.

Why put bees into 5-frame equipment, rather than 10-frame or 8(or 7)-frame boxes? You'll have to manage much more carefully to avoid swarming from your equipment, and bees should expand to fill 10-frame or 8-frame equipment really quickly.

My advice: pick a "standard" size, at least for you, and keep everything to one size. Having some 5-frame boxes for starting nucs is nice, but they should need to expand out of that size really quickly.

[Ross]

5 frame nucs are a great way to get bees off to a strong start. The bees will build up faster in a smaller space that they can control better. Move up to 10 frames when the 5 frame is packed with bees.

[dcross]

If the box is 10.5" deep, and the floor is flush with the bottom, it should be just right for standard deep frames and foundation.

[bigbore]

I have several sets of plans for 5 frame nuc's, and one of them is listed to match your box height. you should be good to go with deep foundation. now type is another matter (of opinion):D

[Big John]

Their is a new place in Morehead that would save you some $ and shipping cost. 606 784 3108 or 606 356 9521 e-mail thehoneyandbeeconnection@yahoo.com
I use only 1 sheet of small cell foundation to get the bees to start drawing comb straight and on the rest of the frames I use a starter strip and let the bees draw what size foundation they want.