It's still a bit early for this, but I would like information for planning purposes.
I have a small hive that might not be able to survive winter due to its size. I might be wrong on the method that was described to me during a conversation with our bee inspector so here goes.
I have a larger hive (will winter with 3 mediums) and then the smaller hive (will winter with 2 mediums).
The smaller hive currently has about 7 frames of bees. Very little brood in the bottom box, none in the top. Bottom box has lots of food, top has none. Queen is present.
To help keep small hive warm, do I put two excluders on top of the inner cover of the large hive and then the small hive on top of the excluders, allowing a gap for bees to enter and exit?
Also, might it be a good idea to put the top box (empty cells but fully drawn comb) on the bottom since (from what I understand) the bees naturally work their way from top down anyway?
I'd appreciate some guidance.
Thanks in advance.