Making Mini Nucs

Paul Kelly, research and apiary manager, shows how to make a mini nucleus colony.

For more videos, check out the University of Guelph's Honey Bee Research Centre youtube channel at this link:

For more work by David Borish Visuals, check out:

We would like to thank Québec beekeepers Marie-Hélène Majeau and Susan Kennerknecht for translating our videos into French. We are very grateful for their help with this project. (To view translation, click on settings then subtitles)

Nous aimerions remercier deux apicultrices du Québec, Marie-Hélène Majeau et Susan Kennerknecht pour la traduction de ces vidéos en français. Nous leur en sommes très reconnaissants. (Pour accéder à la traduction française, sélectionnez paramètres et ensuite sous-titres)

[gohbtdj]

7 years on, and this video remains fully relevant to setting up and operating mini mating nucs. The titbits of information one can gleen from the operation here is instructive. The use of TempQueen and Queen Mandibular Pheromone remains eye-opening and not seen in many other mini nuc videos. The 14 day cycles, great guidance, thank you for the well presented video, and sharing such useful knowledge. 👍👍👍

[sdichampion]

I’ve watched this a dozen times. For some reason this is my favorite beekeeping video 👍

[jayanddenissejones]

Paul...This is another great video from UoG Honey Bee Research Centre! You've done a masterful job of explaining away the mystery of the mini mating NUC! Thank you!

[tomazk]

Thx for this presentation and best regards from Slovenia - country of excelent beekeepers and excelent Carnica bee

[sunsetheritage]

What a great video! I have wondered how the mini mating Nucs worked, but never found a video that actually explained them. A lot of other channels say they don’t like them, but don’t really explain why. I think they’re pretty cool now thanks to you for thoroughly explaining it. I hope to raise queens for myself and to sell eventually. I like these!! Thank you again!! Lorie

[wedgelewis]

Very informational. It's good to see the kids being involved with something that will help them in the future.

[craigfenton]

I enjoyed this video. I've never used these little nuces before, they are so convenient. I've only ever used 4 or 5 frame nuces, and this year will using double nuces for the first time. Great stuff guys.👍🏻

[beebob]

My mentor was a professor of entomology at a college in Pennsylvania. I assisted him in his classes. One day I used the term 'when the queen hatches'.
He immediately corrected my by stating, 'queens emerge'.
Since you are a research center I would expect proper terms used in the presentation.
Excellent presentation by the way. It's always nice to have helpers working with you to keep the system running smoothly.

[arctos]

Excellent videos as always Paul Kelly and crew. Congrats.

[johnwatson]

Not sure what exactly is wrong with the 43 people that have disliked this video. Great information from a great teacher.

[alanthomas]

Thank you so much for sharing your vast knowledge with us. I am new at Bee Keeping and loving every minute of it.

[stevesoutdoorworld]

very cool system.i enjoy your vids keep it up we need more beekeepers.

[peterbco.]

Hi!!! Really enjoy all your videos!! They help me to try new things in beekeeping I was afraid to do on my own, , the explanation are great. Thank you
Beekeeping for 6years, 10 dadant hives, buckfast bees near Paris France 👍

[mrfabiocosta]

We use this a lot in Germany, bit we use sugar foundant so that WE can fill the boxes in forehand.
We use also the inner cover so that no bees come Out of the Box when you insert the Queen cell.

[lintonmacnamara]

Terrific, so well organised and professional

[paulbuiks]

I loved this video and explanation. Paul

[vincentpoulin]

An excellent video and helpful Q&As. Question: your feeder is a simple "well" blocked with a small piece of queen excluder. Bees crawl down to feed but how often is the well filled with drowned bees? Is there a well fitted floater in there that allows them to crawl on to without coming in contact with the pool of sugar syrup?

[michaelshelnutt]

Do they get enough resources this way- like pollen and nectar?

[stevehoneybeefarm]

I wonder how many drones are there in the nucs? 1st round of mating maybe, 2nd round mating onwards there will be enough drones for the queen?

[Investigativebean]

It’s so much fun to watch the measuring of the bees haha. I love it.