Multiplication of a nucleus colony

The creation, as early as spring, of several nucleus colonies from a small six-frame colony is highly profitable and straightforward, provided that the beekeeper monitors the development of the parent colony, transfers the brood frames onto two stacked boxes, and that frequent syrup feeding stimulates a particularly prolific queen.

Multiplying colonies – or how to produce six nucleus colonies from a single colony in one season starting in March

In March, place a strong colony created in 2026 and overwintered on 5–6 frames into a Dadant nucleus hive (DB 6 frames). Feed with frequent but moderate amounts of 50% syrup to stimulate egg laying and reach April with six frames carrying open and sealed brood.

Then place a second DB 6-frame nucleus body on top of this hive. The total volume corresponds to a 12-frame Dadant hive arranged vertically. The principle is that a strong colony on 12 frames develops more rapidly than two nucleus hives on 6 frames each.

Alternatively, two Dadant supers with 6 frames each can be used to form the second (upper) nucleus body:

Dadant Apibox nucleus hive with 6 frames + 2 supers fitted with 6 brood frames each + feeder compartment:

Place three frames of sealed brood taken from the lower nucleus in the center of the upper body (or the two upper supers). Sealed brood requires more heat and is therefore positioned above. Fill the three remaining spaces with three foundation frames. In the center of the lower body, place the three frames of open brood, which require less heat (thus placed below), and fill the remaining spaces with three foundation frames. Feed with 5 liters of 50% syrup to allow comb building and to stimulate egg laying.

Once everything is built and brood is present (remove frames that are excessively filled with honey or syrup if necessary), remove the upper body (or the two supers) and place it on a bottom board (the frames from the upper supers are transferred to another DB 6-frame nucleus hive). Confirm the absence of the queen, which should be in the lower body. Move this nucleus hive at least 3 km away and introduce a new laying queen or a queen cell. If necessary, allow a queen cell to be raised from open brood.

If the queen is found in the upper body, leave it in place and move the queenless compartment more than 3 km away, introducing a queen there as described above.

The principle is to keep the compartment with the queen at the original location and move the queenless compartment 3 km away. Carefully check that the moved compartment contains a sufficient bee population and feed it with 50% syrup, as a large proportion of foragers will be missing, as in an artificial swarm.

Repeat a cycle with the nucleus body remaining at the original site, which benefits from a large number of foragers. One cycle lasts 3–4 weeks and proceeds more quickly when laying queens are available for introduction into the queenless units. Starting in April, it is possible to produce one colony per month, that is up to five by September. With ideal weather conditions and sufficient experience, producing six colonies per season is achievable.

Monitoring feeding and food storage is strategically important to avoid both starvation and congestion of the brood nest with nectar. The objective is to maximize bee production rather than honey yield. The critical period for storage is April/May; the risk of starvation occurs in summer, in July/August, but depending on the region also in June.