Cutout Nuc

ski · Post by **ski** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 3:36 pm

Wally,
Tomorrow will be 7 days since I brought the cutout nuc home. Would it be safe to go in and check to see if the queen cell is hatched or is it better left alone for a few more days and then check for eggs?

Post by **Wally** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 4:14 pm

I checked mine yesterday and found the virgin queen. As soon as I saw her, I replaced the frame and got out. I wouldn't linger, I would check quickly for food and bee quantity,and then leave it for another week.

ski · Post by **ski** » Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:22 pm

OK, I will take a quick look tomorrow and then hold for another week.

Thanks Wally.

ski · Post by **ski** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 2:50 pm

Took a quick peek in the cut out nuc.
Verified they still had some pollen patty left and honey on the shallow frame that I added. I did not pull any frames.
Would 3-4 additional days be a good time to check for eggs ?

Post by **Wally** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 7:36 pm

Why didn't you look today? You couldn't have asked for a better day.

BTW, adding that shallow frame was a mistake. The comb they draw from the bottom of it is the first place she will lay.

ski · Post by **ski** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:38 pm

I checked for food and bee quantity.
IF your queen wasn't mated I would not expect this one to be mated. There was no use in disturbing anything to maybe find the virgin queen.
If the queen is out it could take 5-10 days for mating as you mentioned.
Will plan on a better check on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Just my thoughts.

Post by **Wally** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 6:26 am

Sounds like the right thoughts.

ski · Post by **ski** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:43 pm

I checked the cutout nuc a few days ago and I was squinting to see eggs and small larva. Today medium size larva no doubt about it.
Put some pollen patty in just in case they would like some. I was thinking about a nuc hive top feeder but not sure they would take syrup now. They still have the frame of honey. But all in all its good news so far.

Post by **Wally** » Fri May 02, 2008 6:05 pm

Mine is the same, only I have feeders on all nucs. They are taking about a pint a day. I lost one of the nucs, but the other and the hive are doing great.