In a message dated 16/12/2009 10:48:31 GMT Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

I am  watching some hives wintering on a scale, and the feed consumption 
does seem  to actually diminish as temperature drops, although reason would 
suggest that  there must be a point at which the temperature has dropped 
sufficiently that  greater fuel consumption becomes necessary to maintain the 
minimum  temperatures required for survival.

That said, I usually don't wrap  until just before Christmas since I feel 
that the hives, being broodless,  


In S UK the bees are rarely broodless which means they sometimes suffer  
from isolation starvation when they have eaten all within reach and won't 
break  cluster to move the couple of inches to where stores are ample. And, of 
course,  they need more food to maintain brood-nest temperature.
 
Chris

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