Transporting - As we discussed in class, make sure in your vehicle they are facing front to back to avoid pressure on the frames of bees in the nuc box when stopping. Cool is best, but careful with too cold. Please don't forget to open their entrance when you set them on the landing board. Nucs can overheat easily. Air conditioning on is a good plan.
Some common questions with new beekeepers are:
Feeder pails: Setting them back a ways from the opening in the inner cover, lifted up a bit using 2 sticks to keep it level, allowing for them to come and go, can help keep any syrup leak mishap from happening over the brood. No, they won't have time to build significant comb in the box that encloses the feeder pail. Be sure and take it off withing a couple of days and replace with a super during a good nectar/pollen flow.
Inner cover notch In class we learn the notch in the inner cover always stays in the up position. When feeding put some painters tape or a wad of wax to close it. Keeping the notch up: This is why an outer beehive cover is called a Telescoping cover - so it can be pulled back to close the notch. This also protects intruders from coming into the hive directly onto the frames instead of the long dangerous walk to the inner cover opening.
Can you install a nuc on the same day you pick it up? Yes, so watch the weather. As long as they have a few hours to orient themselves on a good flying day with good forage available, they should orient quickly enough. Don't delay more than a day, looking ahead, especially if the next day is stormy or cold.