>The winters here can be very extreme in 1996 and 97 the temps were as cold
as 20
>below zero and we had a lot of 50 to 70 MPH wind days to go with it, I
don't
>think any single brood chamber colony could have made it here under those
>conditions.
really..so, you beleive having a LARGE (?)population of bees(going into the
winter months) will keep the hive warmer ?
I run a deep brood chamber(during the winter) and place a honey super above
the brood chamber and during the "flow", I use mediums(above the deep).
Winds,temps,etc..I realize play a part in the winter condition..but, on the
other side of the coin..does it not depend on your windbreak,condition of
your bees,wrapping of your hives and the race/strain of bee?
 
Herb
BTW-thanks for your comments..