Tibor Szabo did some work on nucs like this some time ago.  His procedure
was to pour a cup of bees into each nuc and add a cell.  The bees were
then confined to the nuc for a few days.
 
Good luck.
 
Eric Abell                           email: [log in to unmask]
Gibbons, AB, T0A 1N0
Canada
(403) 998 3143
 
On Fri, 26 May 1995, Allen Dick wrote:
 
> Well, In a moment of weakness, I just bought about 1200 baby nucs.
>
> They are made so that four of different colours go (tight together and
> facing different ways) on each common floor, and there is a common insulated
> lid.
>
> Each nuc is (guessing here) about an 8 inch cube and has some insulation
> (1/2 inch styrofoam) on two walls and a canvas cover. A 2 1/2 cup feeder
> is located in each as well as 3 tiny frames - most have one comb drawn or
> partially drawn. There is a 3/8 inch closable entrance and a 3/4 inch
> screened vent near the top.
>
> I searched my little library and found I haven't got any real info on how to
> stock them.  Then I realised this is exactly where my friends on BEE-L
> can be of the most assistance.
>
> Here's the situation:
>
> We have 35 cells ripe today - later on in the day, 44 cells tomorrow later
> on in the day and 20-36 due on Monday.  (I don't do the grafting and I
> don't keep the records -  they came as a surprise - I thought we were
> only getting 20 today and I have 20 larger nucs ready).
>
> The questions:
> """"""""""""""
> Can I stock the nucs and introduce cells today - leaving them closed for
> a day or two?  Temperatures are max 22 degrees Celcius (75 F or so) with
> frosts the last few nights.
>
> How best should I stock the nucs?  What's the best way to shake bees for
> the nucs?  How many bees should I put in each nuc?
>
> Any (FAST!) answers will be appreciated and please reply direct to me,
> not the list and I will summarise - much as Adam did after getting help
> with his nuc problem.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Allen
>
> W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                        VE6CFK
> Rural Route One   Swalwell   Alberta   Canada  T0M 1Y0
> Email:   [log in to unmask]    or   [log in to unmask]
> Futures, Art & Honey:http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~dicka
>