We always equalize our hives before Winter. We shoot for 7 frames of bees and 4 frames of honey in each hive.
7 frames of bees? my productive hives have in summer 50-60 langstroth frames
and in the end of summer I drop the number to 10 or 20.
i try to get big hives. An average they hives half has one langstroth box and half has 2 boxes.
Very seldom all hives start wintering in 2 boxes, but it happens.
All boxes are full of bees. In one box there are 10 frames of bees and in two box 15- 20 frames.
If one box is not full, I join 2-3 week or take one box from big hive when I bring them to home yard.
The strengt fo hives depends much, have they red clover pastures near hive in August.
Big hives are easy to over winter. They take care themselves.