Nucleus Packages

Convert a Technoset brood box in the most efficient way to start nucleus hives.

In a hurry to split hives? Fit the kit to a single brood box and come back 3 days later to see which side has no eggs. Scrape off any queen cells and insert a new caged queen. Alternatively, a queen cell can be added with a queen almost ready to emerge.

Nucs of this size require a lot less care and attention than smaller ones. During winter, the hives can share the warmth generated within the brood box.

In the case of a lost queen, the divider can be removed and the colonies united.

Each feeder has a compartment with a lid for feeding pollen patties or protein supplements. The bees can only access the syrup in a narrow passage to prevent drowning. The feeders have vents to allow damp air to disperse through the vents in the Technosetbee roof.

To refill the feeders, simply lift the roof and top up without any disturbance to the bees. Alternatively, feeder valves can be fitted to the roof to avoid even lifting the roof when topping up the syrup.

Bees naturally grow quicker upwards rather than sideways so we have a second story divider available as well so you can add another box on top while still keeping the divisions.

Nuc Type:

3x3 Frame Kit: This means you can split your hive into 3, 3 frame nucs by adding 2 divider boards. this is great for raising nucs or rearing queens. You can watch an explanatory video on it here

2x5 Frame Kit: This kit will allow you to split your hive into 2, 5 frame nucs by adding 1 divider board. This is great for raising nucs or rearing queens. You can watch an explanatory video on it here

Size:

3/4 Depth: This means your kit will 3/4 depth components.

Full Depth: This means all your components will be Full Depth.

Package:

Feeders and Dividers only: Your Kit will only contain the feeders and divider boards - great for those who already have a Technoset hive set up or for anyone wanting to modify their existing hives.

1 Story Technoset Package: The Kit will come with Feeders, Dividers and a 1 story Technoset Hive Setup which includes 1 of each of the following: Technoset Roof, Vented floor and Brood Box. Great for those wanting to put their existing bee frames straight in.

1 Story Technoset Package inc RTG Frames: The Kit will come with Feeders, Dividers and a 1 story Technoset Hive Setup which includes 1 of each of the following: Technoset Roof, Vented floor, Brood Box and Russian Pine frames fitted with Medium brood foundation. The 2x5 kit comes with 10 of these frames and the 3x3 kit comes with 9.

4 Small Nucleus hives all under one roof.

Made from high quality Technosetbee components.

Dividers can be remove to create a Std 6 frame full depth - top feeder can be purchased to suit.

Colours may be different to the pictures shown.

There are Two Options Available:

Without Frames:
- Lid
- Top Feeders
- Dividers
- Latches
- Super
- Vented base

With Wooden Frames
As above but with 12 wooden frames and with wax coated plastic foundation fitted to the frames. (Code 950-0183)

Alternative frames can be purchased here

Features:

- 4 hives each with five 3/4 depth frames & wax coated plastic foundation.
- 4 Tank Feeders (one litre each)  with ladders.
- 2 removable divider boards. Can run the hive over winter with 2 colonies only.
- 4 separate Hive Mats with high insulation properties.
- 4 closeable & mouse proof entries with landing board. Range of colour options.
- Space for pollen supplements and has 4 floor vents.
- Box can be fitted to a standard hive to draw out the frames.

How to start of the 4 Way Nuc

The outside dimensions of the box are standard so you can put the whole box on top of a standard beehive to draw out the frames.
If the divider slides and the feeders are removed, you can fit 13 frames each side.
If you put that on a busy hive and add a top feeder full of syrup, you will get the frames drawn in a very short time.

If you let the queen lay in the frames, then you soon have a great box of bees with brood and stores that is easy to shift  back to its standard base etc.
Add dividers and feeders, add 4 queen cells and weather permitting, you will have 4 great laying queens within 3 to 4 weeks. 

If the frames are already drawn, you can start the colony by adding a litre of bees to each of the 4 sections.
If the bees are from several hives, spray them gently with vanilla essence, diluted with water. 1 part essence to 2 parts water.
That masks any scent and stops fighting.
Fill the feeders with syrup. Is good to add some pollen supplement as well.
Locate the hives in new positions with the entries closed.
Add a queen cell to each section that is ready to hatch within 24 hours.
After 48 hours, open entrances and let the bees take their bearings on the new location.
Refill feeders with syrup.
Monitor regularly that they have enough feed.

If the frames are not drawn, the above procedure could be adopted if it was during a reasonable honey flow and the weather allows the bees to get out and collect their food requirements.