>if you were expanding beyond splits by several hundred colonies, what would those of you on the list do; packages or nucs? 

One practice that I have long used in both packages and mating nucs that has not been mentioned in this thread is the inclusion of at least one frame of brood, no need to include the bees. In addition to inclement weather or late day installation any amount of open brood has greatly reduced drift in my experience. Especially helpful when establishing mating nucs for the first round in spring when no queen or cell is yet present.

Paul Hosticka
Dayton WA

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