Installation- Set up

How many pounds of bees are in a 5 frame nuc?

A nucleus hive, or a nuc, as it is commonly referred to, is made by splitting an existing colony. It comprises five frames with a  combination of brood, pollen, and honey. There are also worker bees at various stages of development. Some are nurse bees, while others are foragers. Since there is brood hatching and young adult bees emerging, a nucleus hive builds faster than a package and will require you to transfer it to a full hive as soon as possible. In most cases, the bees are usually ready for a second box within two weeks after installation. You should feed a nuc with sugar syrup until they get established. 

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How many pounds of bees are in a 5 frame nuc?

Nucs contain approximately 7000 to 14,000 bees( 2- 4 pounds of bees). There are at least three frames of brood, two frames of pollen and honey, and a laying queen. Since the colony has already accepted the queen, there is a high chance of thriving. If all these ingredients are not available, the nuc is not healthy. A good number of worker bees help to cover the brood during cold nights. A nuc gives beekeepers an opportunity to create a strong bee colony, replace colonies that died in winter, and boost weak colonies. It can also be used to rear additional queens. The price of a nuc varies with location, mostly between $ 15,000-25,000. Overwintered colonies are more expensive than non-wintered nucs. It is advisable to buy only from reputable buyers. The frames and combs have the potential to carry diseases and pests. 

Advantages of Nucleus Colonies

  • A nuc comes with frames, brood, and food stores.
  • They come with an established queen that is ready to lay eggs
  • The honey bees are genetically related

Disadvantages

  • Nucleus colonies are more expensive
  • The frames and honeycombs can carry disease agents
  • You must purchase nucs from local beekeepers in your region since they can’t be shipped
  • They are not readily available and have to be pre-ordered. 
  • The frames are only available for deep Langstroth hives. It is difficult to transition to Warre and Tob Bar hives. 

How many bees are in a package?

A package contains two or three pounds of bees. They are delivered in a wooden screen box containing sugar syrup to feed and approximately 10,000 bees. The bees are shaken into the boxed cage until the desired weight of bees is achieved.  A pound of bees contains 3000-5000 bees.  A 3-pound package gives a new hive the best start. A mated queen is usually in a separate cage. She is not accepted in the colony, and it may take time to receive her. A package requires supplemental feeding until it gets established. Purchasing packages is the most common way new beekeepers obtain their first colonies since it is cheaper. It allows you to learn how bees build hives from scratch. 

Advantages of Packages

  • A package is a cheaper way of obtaining bees.
  • They are widely available. 
  • Can be shipped over long distances
  • You can easily place them on a Langstroth, top bar, Warre or any other type of hive.
  • Low probability of having parasites and diseases. The issue of mites is reduced since there are no brood frames. 
  • You can easily transfer them into a new hive.
  • A package gives a novice beekeeper the best learning experience

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Disadvantages of Packages 

  • The queen in a cage is unrelated to the colony. The bees may take time to accept her.
  • Stress from shipping may cause you to receive dead bees
  • The colony requires more time to build and get established. They have no comb, brood, or food stores.
  • They are more likely to sting. The shipping process exposes them to much stress, making them grumpy.
  • They require more feeding, support, and monitoring than a nucleus package.

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