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nantmoel
07-03-2016, 11:05 PM
Just a general query aimed at those who 'Over Winter Queens'. My aim this year is to produce a very small quantity of F1 queens from a breeder queen, I want to over winter some of these in hives divided into 3 or 4. I know Brother Adam used Dadant hives divided into 4, using half size (length) frames in his mating hives, but also used them to over winter queens. So my question is does anyone here use National hives divided into 3 or 4? If I was to divided into three (full size frames) would there be enough 'surface layers' of warmth in the winter months or should I go for four half size frames? I know Peter L uses an adapted version of Brothers Adams hives, but I don't know if they are National.

My thinking of using three full size 14x12 frames is that they can easily be transferred into Nucs or even use them to increase the stock in production hives if they become too strong. Remove a frame of brood and replace with frame of foundation.