Nuc Life

[digdan]

My big hives won't be ready for 12 more days, and I really need to get bees setup in their spot. I will be getting nucs from an apiary only 20 minutes away from their final spot.

Question is this : How long can a colony live in a nuc, and whats the best way to feed them?

[NasalSponge]

Forever and I would use a hive top/inner cover feeder to reduce the possibility of robbing. That is assuming the picture is what you mean by nuc.
Of course you do not want to leave them in there forever but as long as they have the necessities of life they will be fine as long as they don't get to congested.

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k312/NasalSponge/ww-114.jpg