Overwintered National Nuc for Sale — 6-Frame Poly (Buckfast or Carniolan) — UK Delivery

This overwintered nucleus colony is established, inspected by experienced beekeepers, and ready to expand quickly as temperatures rise. If you’re choosing between spring options, an overwintered nuc gives the strongest early-season start and a realistic first honey crop.

Breeding & selection (F1 Buckfast or Carniolan)

Queens are selected from proven UK-suitable lines for calm handling, consistent brood and strong spring build.

• Temperament: gentle colonies suited to beginners and experienced keepers.
• Brood pattern: strong, even laying across frames.
• Spring build: efficient expansion into April–May.
• Productivity: good nectar gathering in mixed forage.
• Hygiene traits: behaviour supportive of colony health.

Queens are supplied mated and laying, marked in the current-year colour. Drone sources and mother colonies are rotated to maintain vigour.

How we overwinter & prepare your nuc

• Late-summer balance: the right mix of bees, brood and stores.
• Regular checks: food, space and queen status monitored through autumn/winter.
• Pest management: integrated Varroa treatments in line with good practice.
• Spring assessment: strength, brood quality and queen status confirmed before dispatch.

If spring is delayed, we hold nucs until conditions are safe for travel and installation.

What’s included

• 6-frame National nucleus colony.
• 4 frames of brood in all stages, plus 2 frames of pollen and honey stores.
• Mated, laying F1 queen — Buckfast or Carniolan, marked in season.
• Brand new Paynes poly nuc box for safe delivery and installation.
• Frames & wax are as new as possible — combs raised within the past year for freshness and hygiene.

Delivery & collection

• Nationwide: Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm (securely packaged).
• Dorset delivery: hand-delivered locally by our beekeepers.
• Collection: by arrangement from Dorset.

We will contact you 2–4 weeks in advance to agree a delivery or collection date and issue your final invoice. The remaining balance must be paid by bank transfer (BACS) no later than 2 weeks before delivery or collection.

Installing & first-week care

Transfer to your hive in mild, settled weather. Avoid over-spacing early on. Feed lightly if forage is limited.

• Guide: How to Install a Nucleus Colony
• Tool: Sugar Syrup Calculator (1:1 / 2:1)
• Compare: Spring nucs | Summer nucs | Langstroth nucs for sale | See all nucs

Health, checks & support

• Pre-dispatch check: queen present and laying; brood and stores verified.
• Arrival advice: written guidance included; we’re available for setup questions.
• Free support: email/phone help for new beekeepers as you get established.

If anything seems amiss on arrival, contact us the same day so we can help promptly.

Availability

Target April 2026. If spring runs late, we’ll hold until it’s safe to travel and install. We will contact you 2–4 weeks in advance to agree a delivery or collection date and issue your final invoice. The remaining balance must be paid by bank transfer (BACS) no later than 2 weeks before delivery or collection.

Payment Terms & Deposits

A £50 deposit per nucleus colony is required at the time of ordering to secure your bees. All deposits for nucleus colonies are non-refundable, as each colony is specifically raised and allocated to your order.

We will contact you 2–4 weeks before your nuc is ready to confirm progress, agree a delivery or collection date, and issue your final invoice.

The remaining balance must be paid in full by bank transfer (BACS) no later than 2 weeks before delivery or collection.