> It all started with the suggestion that some winter loss could be
> explained by suffocation -- I would suggest that nobody has actually
> claimed to have had such a loss, if they had it would be worth
> discussing why and how to avoid it.
> We use fairly well sealed hives  here to overwinter (mid-Norway)
> with a ventilation opening at the bottom.
 
Glad to hear from Norway!
 
Actually, I've never heard of suffocation - except in unusual
circumstances, hence my arguements against it.  Maybe I should have
just said so straight out.
 
Thanks for your comments.  I'm very interested in the methods you
use.
 
I hope this barrage of questions isn't too presumptuous, but I'm sure
many on the the list would love to hear the response.  I know I sure
would.
 
* Do you use any insulation?
 
* Do winter the hives singly or in groups?
 
* What type of hives do you use?
 
* What is miminum acceptable hive weight going into winter?
 
* What are you minimum and average winter temperatures?
 
* How long at the lowest temperature?  When?
 
* When is your first frost?  Last flow?
 
* When is your first pollen?  Snow melt?
 
* Typical survival maeasured at May 10th
 
To answer these myself:
 
* Yes, R5 to R10 on all sides and R15 to R25 on top
 
* We place them in tightly into fours - 2 facing east and 2 west
 
* 2 Langstroth brood chambers with an 1 inch auger hole under
    the handhole in each box
 
* 50 Kilograms including floor and lid and bees
 
* -40 degrees Celcius and about minus 10 celcius
 
* For about a week or so, anytime from January through February
 
* First frost varies from August 20 to October 20.  Last flow September
 
* First reliable pollen is April 15.  Snow melts late March storms
     and snowfall occasionally until May
 
* Typical survival 850 per 1000 (useable hives)
 
Of course, if anyone else would like to jump in here and give the
answers to these questions and/or add questions to the list, I for
one would be delighted.
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0  Internet:[log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, Art, & Futures <http://www.cuug.ab.ca:8001/~dicka>