
We are proud to offer nucleus hives created by Fred Selby, a 2nd generation beekeeper. After being head of the Shonnard’s Nursery beekeeping department, Fred now professionally operates his apiary near Brownsville, Oregon.
What is a Fresh Nucleus Hive?
A fresh nucleus hive is one that is created from a package of bees. All the equipment is new: deep frames, rite cell foundation, and a high-quality, wax dipped cardboard box with ventilation.
The package of bees is transferred into the nucleus box with the new foundation. The queen bee is caged with a sugar plug, and the bees do the work to free her and acclimate to her. The bees will create fresh wax on the new foundation, and the queen will begin laying brood.
The fresh nucleus hive will consist of 5 frames with new wax, pollen and honey stores, and developing brood; the 5th frame is always a new frame to accommodate the growth of the colony.
What to Expect with a Fresh Nucleus Hive?
In comparison, what is commonly sold as a nucleus hive is one that is created from splitting an existing hive. Filled frames of foundation from a working hive are transferred into a nucleus box with bees, and a new queen bee is introduced.
With a fresh nucleus hive everything is new, mainly the newly drawn wax foundation! Here are some reasons why a fresh nucleus hive is a great start for a beekeeper:
- Brand new equipment
- New white wax
- Zero to minimum risk of transferred bacteria or disease, namely foulbrood, because old frames are not used
- No build-up of treatments, or pesticide exposure in foundation
Other considerations to be aware of with a fresh nucleus hive:
- There will be fewer resources in reserve for the hive in that first summer season, so pay close attention to hive build-up and feeding needs.
- Honey can be drawn from the hive in the first year depending on hive health and honey stores come summer.
- The process of assembling a fresh nucleus hive starts in mid- to late April when a package of bees can be handled. The bees and queen will need approximately 30 days to develop, therefore a fresh nucleus hive will be available for pick-up later than common nucleus hives would be, most likely late May.
Your nuc will arrive in a bee-tight, high-quality, wax dipped cardboard box with ventilation. The frames will only fit inside a DEEP HIVE BOX. Instructions regarding the installation of your nuc into a full-sized DEEP hive box will be provided on pick-up day.
A cancellation fee of $30.00 applies to all cancelled bee orders prior to the pick-up day being set. Pre-orders are non-refundable once pick-up day is set.
Nuc purchases are for PICK-UP AT OUR STORE IN CORVALLIS ONLY. WE DO NOT SHIP NUCS.
Please call if you have any questions or need to discuss pick-up day accommodations. We will notify you of exact pick-up times as the date approaches.
PICK-UP ADDRESS:
Shonnard’s Nursery
6600 SW Philomath Blvd.
Corvallis, OR 97333