BEEKEEPING - Equipment - Favorite NUC Boxes - Why I like them and how they are built (DIMENSIONS)

I use and have used several different types of nuc boxes. In this video I talk about some different kinds and then show you the dimensions of my favorite kind. Maybe it will give you some ideas to help you in your situation.
I hope you will subscribe to the channel and hit the notification bell. To subscribe to brucesbees go to this link: / brucejenne
Thanks and ENJOY!!!
#beekeeper #beekeeping #honeybees #nucboxes #nucleushive

[@BrownAndDaughters]

Sweet Pea. What a Southern name. I once went to a hardware store my dad had been trading with for decades. He told me to mention him and I'd get his business discount. Well, I got to the register and said, "I'm James' son." Nothing. So I tried his nickname, "Buddy". Nope. I went on to name the company, describe him, try every combination of name I could and finally the guy lights up and says, "Oh, do you mean "Sweet Thang?!" For years after I never let him live that one down. Take care, Conner

[@brucesbees]

Absolutely lol. Sweet Pea is a really good carpenter. Cool name. Southern to the max.

[@gileshoney5796]

If all goes well I we will be needing 15-20 nuc boxes by the end of the year when we do our first overwintering in a shed (here in central Maine).

[@brucesbees]

Sounds good. We would never be able to do that here since it really never stays cold for long.

[@beeman1246]

Why complicate simple matters. Bees winter wonderfully in nucs. Sometimes it is -30C (-22F) in my place. I've never lost one colony.

[@massachusettsprepper]

This looks like a pretty functional design. And keeping everything a standard size makes interchangeability a lot easier. Thanks for sharing.

[@brucesbees]

Absolutely. I have had a few people request a video such as this. These work well and the bees do really well in them. The only drawback as mentioned in the video is that they will fill up the space in the top with wax and honey if not careful so it is a good idea to smoke/shake the bees off of there before removing it. Also need to make sure the queen is not up there if scraping it off. Otherwise I love this design.

[@massachusettsprepper]

@@brucesbees there could be a slight modification made to the top cover that would prevent the bees from building a lot of brother comb up there. Or maybe even sticking a piece of insulative bubble wrap inside the top cover to take up some of the space that way you could still utilize it as a bottom board or top cover.

[@brucesbees]

Good thoughts. Might be worth a try. Could also decrease the depth to 1/2” maybe. Still enough room for the bees to move around and maybe less room or comb building. Either way this design works well for me. Thanks for your input!

[@privatebubba8876]

I use screened bottom boards and stack my nucs four high that out produce my 10 frame double deeps. I'm slowly doing away with 10 frame hives.

[@brucesbees]

Not a bad plan. I know some who use nothing but nucs.

[@stufarnham]

I am switching to nucs with seoarate bottom boards in addition to traditional nuc boxes this tear. I think the new stile will be more versatile.

[@brucesbees]

Yes I have found these to be more versatile but I use whatever I have. These hive bodies will stack on top of any of my nucs as well so I kind of just mix and match them as needed.

[@JeromeBeeFarm]

I noticed in one if your videos you had tops and bottoms that looked the same. Good idea with one less part to keep up with. I guess it is different though if you put the jar lid hole for feeding. I’ve been making some this winter out of scrap OSB. I’m probably going to regret it later. lol. I made the bodies a little taller so I can put in frames with queen cells hanging the bottom.

[@brucesbees]

Yes they work well. If you want to seal the hole and use it as a bottom board you can just put some duct tape over it or seal it up some other way. I love these boxes. Having some more made now.

[@brucesbees]

One thing to consider if making your boxes deeper. In my experience the bees will build comb between the top and bottom of frames in two boxes. They like make drones in that space and like you said also queens. The problem is at times when you pull the boxes apart it rips the cells. Not a big deal of drones but can be a problem if trying to make queens. Just a thought.

[@feral664]

Nice byu Hoodie. I went there too... twice :). I'm looking to get into bee keeping in the spring, I'm doing a bunch of research for how to keep them. I'm interested in starting with 5 frame nucs. Thanks for the info!

[@brucesbees]

Awesome! I think 5 farms nucs is the way to go. Rise and Shout!

[@feral664]

@brucesbees the cougars are out! I'm thinking about starting with 2 frame nucs to start a few at once with one package of bees and a few extra queens, then transition to 5 frame. Appreciate the response and the measurements of the nuc.

[@brucesbees]

I have tried 2 frame nucs and they can be successful but tricky. 5 frame nucs are a little more forgiving I think.

[@feral664]

@@brucesbees I saw one that was a standard 10 frame with follower boards to close it down to 4 2 framers, 3 3 framers or 2 4 frames… I’m new so no idea but is the flexibility desirable or a draw back over a stand alone?

[@brucesbees]

I think that could work well. I know some use that setup for queen rearing mating boxes but it could also work for splits. You just have to watch them close.

[@olddave4833]

I have to make 60 Nucs and have 12 done.. almost like these except the interchangeable top and bottom. I really like that. I am going to change and make these, I like the idea of being able to put the OA wand in and that was how I was making mine. I am also going to make a 2.5 " rim around the inter changeable top and bottom so they can't blow off... the bottom will be on for several months anyway and I can put a bead of chalk to keep the rain out. bears not a serious problem yet where they will be but the wind blows 24/7, will also strap them. I will save the plugs to tape in place if I have to use the top for the bottom.. the reason that I didn't cut all the lumber at one time is because I am using all different kinds of lumber, ply wood, OSB, pine boards, even pallets. so I have to do a few to a time.

[@brucesbees]

Yes they work well. I have actually shifted more to more traditional nucs because it is a pain having to strap them together to move them. But I still use them a fair amount, and the boxes are great because you can stack them up as much as needed because there is no bottom connected to them. If you saw all the different types of equipment, boxes lids etc you would probably chuckle. I have tried and continue to use so many things.

[@davidlewis4179]

The sweatshirt is distracting. My wife and I had tickets for the Saturday evening session of general conf. We were going to stay w/friends in Provo.

[@brucesbees]

Man that’s too bad that they have shut things down. Crazy times. President Nelson promised an unforgettable conference back in October. He was right! Take care my friend. I hope this thing blows on over quickly.

[@davidlewis4179]

@@brucesbees we used Zoom to hold Sunday School this morning for our first-ever meeting since church has been cancelled. It was nice to see everyone's face again. Back to bees: do you have a source for mated queen this time of year? My last surviving colony is queen less and looking like they're trying to make a queen from a drone cell. I'm located in upstate New York.

[@SurvivorBees_DavidBlag100]

Can you please list out the dimensions of the traditional type deep nuc or are they the same dimensions?

[@brucesbees]

They are the same.

[@honeyandmilkmedimleko2]

good video

[@brucesbees]

Thanks for watching!

[@SurvivorBees_DavidBlag100]

whats going to be the length of the sides if I put a strip of wood as my frame rests?

[@brucesbees]

I am not sure. Would have to figure it out.

[@JemmC89]

you could use little timber dowels to help lock the pieces together.

[@JemmC89]

Or neodymium magnets is an even better idea.

[@papsroyalapiary9668]

that's the best design, no bottom attached to anything greater than 2 frame nuc, those are the only ones that are complete with bottom attached, everything else I made it to be interchangeable; I do have a diferent style bottom board, I don't travel much with my bees so I do have migratory tops but have as much if not more telescopic lids, like them better, I don't have to put anything heavy so the wind don't get under and lift them up like migratory lids.

[@brucesbees]

Awesome. Sounds like you have a system that works well for you. Your input is appreciated. I hope all goes well for you this season. Thanks for watching!

[@papsroyalapiary9668]

@@brucesbees same to you, looks like we are turning the corner on winter so "gear up" for all of us, lol

[@donbearden1953]

Bruce, your nuc looks good and relatively easy to build. I like the 3/4 band a little extra room for mountain camp sugar or a pollen patty. I hope your hives made the trip to CA ok! Be sure and update us when they get back.

[@brucesbees]

I will. The truck headed west 2 nights ago so should be getting close to their destination. Will be interested to see how they do. I am already trying to figure out plans for growth when they get back if they are strong, which they should be barring catastrophe. Now I need to pay attention to the rest of my hives. Have been neglecting them but it’s time to kick it in gear! Thanks for watching!

[@privatebubba8876]

Lots of hive thefts have been reported in CA the past few weeks.

[@brucesbees]

private bubba I think we will be ok. At least I hope so.

[@joer5627]

I’ll make a few & give them a try. Thanks

[@brucesbees]

Cool. It’s worth a try anyway. I like them. Hope you do too.

[@joer5627]

brucesbees agreed. What’s to lose? Thx