Just commenting on my experience with two new Nucs picked up 5/9/26 from Rocky Mountain Bee Supply.
I’m in my first year. One Nuc has done well; continues to use large quantities of sugar water, has drawn out most of the 15 empty frames having started with 5 Nuc frames and will plan on placing Supper soon just to get comb drawn out for next year. Actually took two frames of brood out to help my weak colony. Used Norroa which they took quickly but no other mite management strategies to date. Considering empiric/ prophylactic treatment with oxalic acid strips soon.
The second Nuc has been a challenge. Queen identified on May 9 but gone two weeks later. Second Queen provided by Rocky Mountain Bee Supply died in her cage by 4 days. Third queen purchased from Fuller Bees released on day 4 but not laying eggs at one week. A new frame of eggs and brood provided by my mentor had been placed when the third queen was placed in the hive and they moved an egg to one of the original frames with no eggs and raised a new queen to superceed the 3rd queen which wasn’t laying eggs . Two weeks later the third queen which had been marked was gone and the new queen identified and marked with still no eggs. Two frames of brood from strong hive placed and one week later on the 4th of July the 4th Queen was laying eggs but the hive still very weak. Norroa had not been placed as there was no open brood and was finally placed with new eggs and some open brood on 7/4/26.
Planning to take two more frames of capped brood from the stronger hive to jump start the weak hive later this week. Still touch and go. Doesn’t seem to be much nectar as far as I can tell.
Welcome any comments.