The outer plastic on bee cozies is not heavy and tears (or is chewed) 
fairly easily.

What important when in installing be cozies is to remember a couple of 
things: 1) external hive measurements are not all identical, 2) the seam 
is intended to go in front, a nail is intended to be placed so the cozie 
won't slip down over the entrance, 3) cozies are a bit long, and can 
easily block upper entrances if you are not careful installing them.  
This season I found folding three sides under the cover while leaving 
the front top exposed worked well as an installation strategy.  I will 
keep the cozies on for another month so I can't tell you how well this 
strategy worked at keeping the sides of the hive warm and the bees alive.

I used several of the velcro installed coverings from Dadant this 
winter.  They went on easily.  I haven't taken them off yet to see if 
they helped and if they are winter durable.

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