I'm not talking about serious broodrearing--that doesn't normally take place until there is some pollen coming in. I'm talking about the reinitiation of broodrearing.
Lloyd Harris, in his study when he overwintered bees in a shed in Manitoba, had one colony that came out of the shed stronger than it went in, due to broodrearing in the shed. I've asked other Canadians--some who have checked tell me that they have been surprised to see brood when the hives come out.
Ahh Different thought. Ian did say many would have a tiny patch also. Hes running singles with 80/90 lbs of food into storage for close to 5 months.
I have seen many hives that will do odd stuff like keep small brood patches. Always been strong hives with very young/late queens Looked at a load last year that was in the valley and they had been requeened in late oct. they were brooding up great right before xmas.
I was working on the "spring start" thought, where they go into serious brood cycles maxing out the thermal mass capabilities of the hive.
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