Top Bee Space Nucleus Coverboards

Drawings of cover boards, (inner covers or crown boards) suitable for use on two frame, three frame and five frame nucleus hives that are built to basic British National bee hive standards, but are organised with top bee space.

The items listed under National Nucleus Coverboards can be used with the rim uppermost when used with Top Bee Space equipment.

If however, you wish to feed two 5 frame nuclei using the rectangular plastic feeders made by Nicot there is a method of using a pair of plain plywood covers 9 mm thick with offset holes that will allow two such feeders side by side within a "National" Eke or a "Rational" Eke.

The diagrams at top right give the dimensions for hole cutting. The front elevation shows the positions of the two feeders whilst the plan view shows the feeders themselves (with the roof and feeder lids removed).

9 mm plywood is specified owing to it's greater rigidity and freedom from warping. The ones that I made had the edges painted a strong reddish brown colour and the main surfaces were treated with Raw Linseed oil.

I have used this method many times and it is particularly useful if you have formed nuclei that are a little under strength or you require them to draw out foundation.