Spring National Nucleus Colony — 2027

Your 6-frame National nuc is a balanced colony with four frames of brood, two frames of stores and a mated queen, supplied in a new Paynes poly nuc box with side feeder and vented roof. Every colony is inspected before dispatch.

Why choose a Spring National nucleus colony?

Raised during the current season, our Spring National nucs offer a gentler May start while leaving plenty of time for productive summer growth.

• ✔ A gentler start, rapid growth — A young queen and May start can reduce early swarming pressure, while the colony can still develop rapidly and reach a similar strength to an overwintered nuc by summer.
• ✔ A balanced, established colony — A laying queen, brood and stores give you a head start.
• ✔ Fresh equipment and comb — DN4 frames and wax comb under eight months old, supplied in a new Paynes poly nuc box.

Why buy from Jurassic Bees?

• ✔ Raised and cared for in our Dorset apiaries.
• ✔ Choice of UK-raised F1 Buckfast or Carniolan queen.
• ✔ Brand new Paynes 6-frame poly nuc box included.
• ✔ All DN4 National frames and wax comb are less than eight months old.
• ✔ Mainland UK postal delivery or Dorset arrangements.
• ✔ After-purchase support through our website contact form.

Buckfast or Carniolan Queen — Breeding & Selection

Our breeding and selection focus on traits that help you manage your bees: calm handling, consistent brood production, colony development and hygienic behaviour. Choose F1 Buckfast or Carniolan from the product options; these are selection aims, not guarantees for every colony.

• Selection for calm handling.
• Selection for a consistent brood pattern.
• Selection for seasonal colony development.
• Selection for honey-gathering potential.
• Selection for hygienic behaviour.

Your queen is supplied mated and laying, and marked using the colour for the year she was mated.

What's Included

• 6-frame National nucleus colony.
• Four frames of brood in all stages, with the bees caring for it.
• Two frames of pollen and honey stores.
• Mated, laying F1 Buckfast or Carniolan queen, marked for the year she was mated.
• Brand new Paynes poly nuc box with side feeder and vented roof.
• All DN4 National frames and wax comb are less than eight months old.

2027 Availability & Delivery

Our May National nucs are available from May 2027, subject to weather and colony readiness. We’ll confirm your delivery or collection date in advance and rearrange if conditions are unsuitable.

If you're looking for the earliest possible colonies, see our Overwintered National Nucs. If you need bees later in the season, our Summer National Nucs are usually available from June.

UK Delivery & Collection

• Royal Mail Special Delivery by 1pm service for mainland UK addresses.
• Hand delivery throughout Dorset by arrangement.
• Collection from Dorset on Saturdays by arrangement.

For posted nucs, choose your preferred delivery day, Tuesday to Friday. We'll confirm the date based on weather and colony readiness.

Installing Your Spring Nuc

Place your nuc on its hive stand when it arrives. Cover the vented roof to keep rain out. Leave it to settle for 30 minutes before opening the entrance. Wait 24 hours before transferring the colony into your full-size National hive. Feed lightly as needed until the colony has expanded to fill the brood box.

• How to Install a Nucleus Colony
• Sugar Syrup Calculator
• Overwintered National Nucs
• Summer National Nucs
• Langstroth Nucs

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose a spring nuc instead of an overwintered nuc?
A spring nuc is made during the 2027 season and supplied with a current-season mated queen. An overwintered nuc was established before winter and is planned for earlier supply. Choose the timing that suits your equipment and beekeeping plans.

When will my spring nuc be delivered?
Your Spring nuc will be supplied in May 2027. Choose a Tuesday-to-Friday delivery day for posted orders, or collect in Dorset on Saturdays. We'll confirm your date in advance.

Will this fit my National hive?
Yes, the colony is supplied on standard British National brood frames for transfer into a matching National brood box. Check your equipment before ordering; these are National frames, not Langstroth frames.

Do I need to feed my nuc after installation?
Feed lightly as needed until the colony has expanded to fill the brood box.

Can beginners buy a spring nucleus colony?
Yes. Spring nucs are ideal for beginners, offering a gentler start with a young, mated queen and lower early-season swarming pressure than overwintered colonies. Starting in May still gives the colony time to grow rapidly, produce a honey crop and, once strong enough, be split to create additional colonies.