You bought a 5 frame Nuc ……. Now what should you do next?

This video is for new beekeepers. It’s early spring and many of you are purchasing Nucs (Nucleus colonies) and probably wonder what’s the next steps? This video will demonstrate what steps to take to be successful in transferring and growing your new colony!!!

[@warrenoutley5413]

Old bee keeper here, going to get into bee keeping again, some of my best times were being out in my apiary, but the mites were overwhelming in the 90s but I am going to try again thank you for the insentive !

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Welcome back old timer!!!!

[@eastsussexbeesandwildlife5801]

Thanks for that, all the best from your viewers in the UK😊

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Hope it helps!

[@nicolajobson9739]

My 5 frame Nuc arrives on Tuesday 1st May (weather permitting) can’t get enough of watching these clips and hearing the advice. I’m completely new to beekeeping. Mulled it over since we moved back out to the country 10 years ago. Local beekeeper friend is helping me on Tuesday. Can’t wait. Happy beekeeping all of you. Many thanks Nicola (Devon Uk)

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Good luck to ya!

[@markmacintyre844]

Love that you target a great deal of your content at the new beekeepers. Thanks!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

More to come!

[@JolaFasolaGroszek]

Good to know about not giving them too much space when you start. Thank you.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Your welcome!

[@kathyhathaway8823]

That one was much better ( when the bees are alive ) LOL . I had to get one more punch in . Have you say the long range weather forecast for us . Much colder . Keep your video’s coming enjoying your content. THANKS

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

I have. 40° at night and 56°-65° are perfect temps for growing a colony! Because of this warm “early spring” people forget. The cluster breaks around 42°. The bees will be just fine. If it looks like a cold week, feed and put a pollen patty on. Lots of options!

[@scottwright7709]

Yessir! Just what I was looking for. Thanks for all your help.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad I could help!

[@jwill1182]

Looking forward to working Monday! Great video!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks! Looking forward to your help!

[@aleciacurrington3308]

Newbie here. I appreciate the advice as I go on the beekeeper journey. 😊

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@matthunt4512]

Thanks for the video and mostly important; congratulations on your Marriage and may God Bless you both .

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thank you!

[@elliottparks4779]

Thank you Nebbie to the chanel and to beekeeping getting my first 2 nucs this week

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Welcome to the club!

[@jaymackley3099]

Looks good, 5 frames are the way to go.👍

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

They are!

[@Josieg19-p3s]

Thank you for such clear directions, I'm new to attempting bee keeping. Looking forward to learning more from your videos.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for watching! Hope it’s helpful!

[@peterjanney9963]

Can be a bit overwhelming trying to learn. Thankful for people who care !

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You’re welcome

[@russellaymond312]

Thanks for the video, great job.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for watching!

[@tfortheworld]

Finding this a year later - this is helpful!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Great!

[@watki4966]

My dad used to keep bees when I was young. Thinking about getting started. 😊

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You’ll love it!

[@daynataylor813]

My bees arrived today! Thank you for the encouragement. This video was great.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You got this!

[@Adrian-nv8qj]

What a great idea for a video

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad you liked it

[@chrisflannagan6667]

Great video. I bought some nucs closer to Durham but found this super helpful. Can’t wait for the bees to arrive!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Nice! Thanks for watching!

[@bobadams8818]

Thank y😊

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Welcome 😊

[@JohnGaz-v1t]

You make it look so easy to a nubee! Good info for acquiring my first nuc in a few weeks. Thanks so much!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kathygleason6913]

Thank you for your video. I’m glad you told me NOT to add a second box to a new nuc. Although I don’t have my hive or my bees cause I don’t have a place to put my bees right now, I’m thinking of all the steps and things I need to know once I find the girls their new home. I “liked” and “subscribed” and I wish you great success. Ya know anyone in Santa Barbara, CA that can host my hives? 👍🏻

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks! Glad to help!

[@kathygleason6913]

@@Ashby_Farms_NC Here I am a month later and the greatest of news. I found my girls their new home. I have a mentor who is going to look at my five frame nuc and my 8 frame hive and together we will figure out when to add the second box. I saw pictures of the nuc frames and there is a ton of capped brood so I'm thinking that I'm going to have a population explosion very soon that I will need to make adjustments for. So many things to think about and I only have one hive. How do you manage it with all the hives you have? Hats off to you.

[@malcolmtongue4811]

I live in the UK and will be getting my first lot of BEES quite soon. Great channel full of good information for a new keeper of Bees thanks

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for watching! Best of luck!

[@beekeepinggarden165]

Great advice Ashby 👏🐝🐝

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thank you!

[@lenturtle7954]

Beautiful frame of capped brood . Im guessing the tarp under the pallet is for beetle larva control . Would eliminate mowing as well . Nice video 🎉

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Correct, we use weed matting below all of our colonies

[@robertsutherjr]

very informative and useful video👍

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks a lot!

[@GaryManess]

Great video Ashby. My nuc last year nobody told me to let them set for 3 days in the spot there going be. I can say they acted lost and wasn't much activity. Till the 3rd day after I put them in the box. I got them late. It was August. They made it till last of Dec. I miss my bees. Don't laugh I know there a bug lol.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You aren’t the only one

[@danimiller1240]

Good video. good luck with your channel.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for the compliment!

[@silentjustice5657]

Ok, subscribed! Looking forward to learning!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for following along!

[@jimherrmann1165]

I was all ready to give my nuc 2 tall boxes. I will try putting nuc in location before putting installing in 1 high hive box. Lot's of great new info!!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad to help!

[@randalljarnigan5897]

That’s a great queen she blowing and going ‼️

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Heck yeah!

[@CharlieTwoShirts]

Thank you!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You’re very welcome. Hope it helps

[@ruairiallen3354]

Great video.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks!

[@gregmcmath-ov3zj]

Thanks! Great information!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@cherylsnell640]

Thank you so much very informative!!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rangerwhite1]

Thanks!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

No problem!

[@tomandrews2677]

Great tips

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@RussellSamson-d1t]

Nice video Thank You

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Always welcome

[@MakebaGreene]

Perfect for what I needed. Thank you!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Hope it helps!

[@MrNeoflee]

Thanks bud , this was just what I was looking for!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You’re welcome

[@franklawson152]

Thanks for the great videos. I brought home two sets of hive boxes yesterday. Plan on treating the wood and prepairing where they will be placed in plenty of time for when I get my two nucs in May. I'm a little nervous, but I should be able fumble my way through the process.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Don’t be afraid to screw up. Just learn from it!

[@mab0852]

Love the channel. Please follow this up with a play by play video(s) for the first 5 or 6 weeks through adding supers.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Great idea! Will do!

[@donscott2500]

Very helpful. God luck with the channel !

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks!

[@marialourdesgiannetta1253]

Thanks for sharing… it’s helpful for a super beginner!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You’re welcome

[@tarheelbeekeeper3971]

I’m in WNC just starting my channel as well, i subbed your channel after your interview with Bruce Jenne which was a good interview

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for following along!

[@thebananaemane]

Awesome vid! I'm excited to get started in May trying to learn a lot!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Great to hear!

[@topsoutdooradventures]

great video. Thank you for sharing

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for watching!

[@kathyraus]

Great instructions!!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad you like them!

[@lisareal190]

Very helpful video!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-uk9qj1yc8p]

Just introduced three nucs to hive boxes yesterday but didn't let the nucs sit near the hive boxes, just went directly from nuc to hive box. This morning bees are swarming inside my shop where there is bee equipment stored. Guess I should have watched this video first.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

First of many lessons to learn

[@brucecummings3238]

Thanks I needed to know that

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Hope it helps!

[@georgeashmore7317]

Ashby, great videos. I’m a new subscriber from SC/NC line. Getting two nucs next wk and been wondering about installing 2nd brood box right away. You answered my question. Thx! George

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for watching! I’d usually give them 2-3 weeks to fill out a single. Then add a second brood box and when you do, move 2 frames of eggs up to the second box to get the bees to go up.

[@georgeashmore7317]

My main brood box is a deep. The second brood box I’m adding is medium. So I can’t put a deep frame into the medium box. Any suggestion or just start it from scratch with all new foundation frames? Thanks Ashby!

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

@@georgeashmore7317 Thats tough. They dont like to go on foundation. They want a reason, like eggs. Id ask others what they do

[@Moonlightfarm11]

This is perfect.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks for watching!

[@WoodyCreationz]

Great

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks

[@microfarmers]

Thx ths hlpd

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You’re welcome

[@DougJohnson-om3uw]

I noticed you don’t use telescopic lids. If you get a chance maybe you can do a pro and con on the different types lids

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Commercial beekeepers don’t use telescopic lids because side they get propolized and break all the time. The bees don’t care or get any advantage from them.

[@glennsnaturalhoney4571]

I'm in NE Fort Wayne and have 5 over 5 nucs that I overwintered to replace deadouts. Nice watching your videos as you are several weeks ahead of us though this year is crazy. When you split off your 5 frame nucs, do you put in a qc or mated queen in the remaining 5 frames immediately? Glenn

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

We usually wait 1-4 days to add a cell

[@chrisr7746]

Great advice. How about if you have a queen less split with all resources. What are the steps from split to 10frame how long do you wait? B4 that point?been feeding 1:1 sugar water.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

I take the queen and 3-5 frames of resources. Leave the colony to make a new queen. Let them both build back up

[@FarmerC.J.]

Thank you! New subscriber Fairly new to beekeeping. I have two nucs coming. They’re already ordered. So wait three days before I move the five frames to their permanent hive?

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Yes. Let the geolocate to that spot.

[@Steele_Wings]

I am about to transfer an overwintered 5 frame nuc into a 8 frame hive to start the year off. Thanks for that video because I will be doing it tomorrow. Have you seen any signs for swarm cells in your colonies so far. I don't want to inspect this early because last year it dropped below freezing the first week of March. Best of luck. from Charlotte, NC

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Oh yeah. Finding cells everyday no matter what steps we take to try to slow it down

[@stevem3324]

Comment for the algorithm.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Thanks Steve!

[@mpgracing]

At the end of your video… what about an eight frame box ? And adding the next box

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Just keep an eye on the population. Make sure they have room

[@snackman508]

What is the reasoning for letting them sit for 3 days. Its the first ive heard of this. Would be nice to do all the work in one trip to the bee yard.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

They need to geolocate to their new spot

[@jwilloughby1171]

I see a lot about feeding syrup what about pollon patties when do you feed them?

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Early Feb and early Nov. Small Hive beetles will use them as a larva nest. Good luck once they take hold

[@Windsongwoodshop]

So, after moving the 5 frames from the NYC into the hives, there is a ton of comb and bees left in the transport nuc box. I mean, a lot. The seller was apparently raising the bees in the nuc for some time. Should we put empty frames in the nuc and close it back up in case the queen is still in there? Will new bees move in? Will the bees move that comb into their permanent hive?

[@Windsongwoodshop]

And, I typed nuc but autocorrect changed it to NYC.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

They won’t move comb. Just shake the bees to one end of the nuc and then quickly into the hive.

[@caracrabtree715]

Where are you located? I’m gaining equipment and planning my first hive and live off rt 8 in southwestern Virginia and shopping around for information and bees

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

We’re in Burlington NC. Start with at least 2, but 3 is better. Take an intro to bees class with your local club.

[@caracrabtree715]

@@Ashby_Farms_NC thank you 😊

[@GaryManess]

What if it's in a plastic box or one those cardboard boxes ? Leave for 3 days too

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Yes they’ll be fine for a week or two

[@jackmckee8491]

Thank you for that question I was wondering that as well. Good luck to all these beginners that includes me. I am so looking forward to getting mine mid-april is when they said it be here.

[@brettwhiteMusicFan]

1 to 1 syrup. Is that 1 cup of sugar per 1 gallon of water? I can find an explanation of what 1 to 1 means.

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Equal parts. 1 gallon bucket of sugar to 1 gal bucket of water.

[@robertjasman2483]

I have a question for you if you have time for it. A few years ago a fella sold me some 5 frame supers I think I have 3 or 4 of them stacked. Well my bees didn’t over winter and I just noticed it seems that a swarm has moved into them. After watching your video I’m wondering if I should get conventional 10 frame supers and transfer them or leave them alone? Also should I be removing some of the top boxes and one more thing should I install a queen excluder. I have no idea what I’m doing I felt that the guy sold me all this stuff not caring how much I knew since he was making the boxes and profits. He wasn’t very forthcoming in other words.

[@robertjasman2483]

Also I live in Michigan so I was worried that only having 5 frames may not be enough concentration for them to produce enough heat to survive the winter ?

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

You need to take a “bee school” class and they will answer this question as it is in depth. There is always someone who will sell you something in the bee biz and not care what happens after you purchase. Find a mentor will help as well

[@EnlightenedEndeavor]

I bought nuc but there is no queen. What should I do? Thank you

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Contact the seller

[@EnlightenedEndeavor]

@@Ashby_Farms_NC thank you!

[@kenjones1170]

Do you ship nucs?

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Unfortunately no. USPS has been ruining their own reputation

[@davidsoloninka7742]

What state?

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Burlington, NC

[@realitycheck4158]

Al Gore rythm

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Lol

[@Phxbiavrr]

Really triggers my trypophobia 😂😅

[@Ashby_Farms_NC]

Lol