I recently heard about running hives with only one brood box versus two. I have always used two and somtimes wintered with 2 1/2 boxes here in New England. However, I would like to learn about experiences with a one box system, What are the advantages and disadvantages? Any special care needed to prevent awarms?
In New England too, I use two and will continue to use two. I havn't lost one yet in the winter.
Anything is possible
Gus S use to overwinter in in some nucs!
R. Taylor use to keep a medium under a deep as a brood chamber to do cut-comb honey. He would frequently remove frames to make up new nucs (and as swarm control) this would give a larger brood nest that just one deep and the the deep frames would be on top to be easier to remove.
The hives I've seen here in South Florida mostly use one box. The ones I've seen are for pollination. I have a two box system for now, but will be splitting it into two hives with one brood box each. We use lots of supers and no queen excluder.