How do you factor in bee management style, for example hive size, where smaller hives (may) limit egg-laying space, so smaller colonies?  Since I started in 1996 I've run three deeps (because that what David Eyre of Beeworks, from whom I bought my first hive kits, recommended), and only tried 2 deeps for a few colonies this past year.  With lots of brood space my colonies generally get pretty big.  In the past I have had Buckfast queens (back before I had a few bad experiences with hot colonies) laying across all three deeps with bees covering 16 - 20 frames.  With the two deep colonies this year I didn't manage them fast enough (still thinking 3-deep, lots of forgiving space), and they got plugged up in the flow - two of them swarming, even though they were started that (late) spring.  


So, living here in New Hampshire (where we have been below 0F for quite a while this snowy winter), I have managed for larger colonies - three deeps, no queen excluders, lots of ventilation (screened bottom boards over solid bottoms, slatted bottoms, vent boxes).  I would think that makes me an outlier, no, since most folks run more in the two deep / three medium range?  Does it balance out, if lots of supers are added early?

Bill 
Claremont, NH
+43° 21’  -72° 23’ (approx.)

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