In message <002c01c371fe$d6c56b40$5b85bc3e@oemcomputer>, Christine Gray
<[log in to unmask]> writes
>We could adapt for the UK climate - and perhaps
>more of us could start to make and over-winter nucs  for sale to new
>beekeepers in spring.
Quite a few of us do this in the UK. Old queens can be kept on to
replace in next years' nucs, new queens even on 1 frame of brood and
copious stores can give 4 supers if nurtured properly (a colleague - not
me). I usually use 6-frames (half-size National using 9mm ply or tall
14" sq frame hive, designed to fit over a standard National for warmth)
with a stronger brood than this going into the autumn. Swarming can be a
problem with early build up in spring. Seasons seem to be changing
enough to have to get out a couple of weeks earlier to gauge their
needs.
--
James Kilty

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