I have been reading and reading and thinking and thinking about the unlimited brood chamber. I think that is an aspect of beekeeping that makes the most sense that I can make sense of.
In retrospect, if I had employed this concept last year with my colonies, I think that I may still have had more than 2 colonies left out of 10.
A big mistake that I know that I made last summer was not keeping an open brood nest. Things that I have learned that past year, and might I add, a good majority of it from listening to advices and comments from this forum, have made for what I will be calling a forthcoming successful season of beekeeping. I do not anticipate excess honey, this will be my year of building up. If I have excess honey, bonus. Next year, look out, my aspirations of mountains of honey will be realized. I know that. I am an optimistic person and this is what I will be expecting from my girls that will go into this winter strong and healthy.
Hmmm...now where was I? Right, unlimited brood nest. I believe in my own mind for sure that if the queen is never restricted to a laying area by a queen excluder (and providing supers are liberally given), there should be no real reason for the queen to ever become honeybound, hence many many babies. Good, strong, healthy colonies. Best of the beautiful days. Cindi