I am a first year beekeeper with one hive. Based on my readings, And I've left 3 deep frame hives on with est. 65 lbs of honey for winter feed.
Here's general question for someone: I estimate 50,000 bees in hive curretnly. Should they winter in 3 deeps (minimal honey in top deep) or 2 deeps to help retain warmth? I figured I could put top box feeder on top of 2 deeps instead of fussing with three deeps. Anyone have experience or thoughts here?
thanks
Bigskybee
Perhaps, I do not ungerstand?
But if you have 3 box bees, they are better to put in one box for winter.
If you have 5 box bees at summer, bees will be in one or two box during winter. You must put food frames to one box and shake bees in front of the hive to the ground. From there they reise via plate to hive.
One full Langstroth frame has 2,5 kg or 5 lbs honey.
One full Langstroth box is 25 kg honey. But I take them off and give them sugar. 25 kg is a half of summer yield in Finland.
In Finland 25 kg winter food is enough. Isolated wall in the hive will save 1/3 of winterfood. It is 8 kg honey per year. In 10 years it is 80 kg.
If you have 50 000 bees = 3 boxes at summer, at winter they will be 10 000 -15 000.