More questions

[DavidBee]

I'll start a new thread for this one. Earlier I asked about nukes vs packages. One responder recommended an apiary near here (Atlanta) which I had already settled on. Problem is, his website says they're "small cell" bees. Michael Bush also responded: "if you want bees on the same size cell and same size frame as the nucs, the nucs can be a good start. If you want the bees on something else (e.g. top bar hive, foundationless, small cell, medium frames etc.) then a package will greatly simplify your life."

The foundation I have for next spring is the standard size cell. (1) Will a small cell nuke thrive with the different foundation? (2) If not, I had considered cutting the foundation out leaving a 3/4 inch strip along the tops of the frames and let the bees build their owm comb. Same question - will this work with a nuke? Or (3) would I need to buy entirely new small cell foundation in spite of haveing already bought eighty frames of foundation? Of course, I could just get bees elsewhere, but I like this beek's all natural method (http://www.fatbeeman.com/).

[Specialkayme]

I don't really think there would be a problem if you got a small cell nuc and added regular foundation frames for them to fill out. The bees probably wouldn't notice much, or would just fill it out as needed.

I think Mike was talking about converting a colony the other way around. If the nuc was only available in regular foundation, and you wanted small cell, you can save yourself a headache by ordering packages. The same goes with deep verse medium frame sizes.

Keeping that in mind, I don't know why anyone would WANT to switch from normal foundation to small cell. It's kinda like buying a new truck, then ripping out the bigger engine in your truck to put a smaller one in. If that's what you wanted, you could order a smaller engine and save yourself some cash. Most small cell nucs are more expensive than regular foundation.

If what you want is regular foundation nucs, keep looking, they are out there.

[Michael Bush]

Personally, of course, I would sell the large cell foundation to someone else and stick with the small cell. But if you don't care what size the cells are, they will happily use whatever size you give them. If you do care what size cells they are on, then it pays to get a nuc the size you want.

I want mine on small cell.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnaturalcell.htm