How much honey to leave the girls?

[tireman]

 This is my first year at beekeeping. I have one hive that is booming. It has two deeps and I put one super on Saturday. I checked it today and I already have half of the frames drawn. I will add another super by Tuesday or Wednesday If they keep this up. Will one super be enough for them this winter?

[Wolfer]

I think it depends on the race of bees but I feel that two deeps is more than plenty. With my Russian / ferel bees wich are very frugal 5 deep frames of capped honey is probably plenty.

I always feed a little in the spring when the temps start getting above 50 deg.

[RHBee]

Mine did well wintering with a brood chamber of 2-8 frame mediums and 1-8 frame medium honey. Our winters should be close.

[Joe D]

If they have much honey in the two deeps, that would probably be fine.  Our bees are out flying around most all winter, several days a week.  Except of this past winter, you have several times that it will be warm enough to check out your hives.  Or just do the pick up and guess the weight.   Once in a while I will mix them some sugar syrup anyway.  About Feb. you can start giving them sugar syrup so they will start building up getting ready for the spring flow.  Good luck to you and your bee




Joe

[BlueBee]

Two deeps should be more than enough in the deep south.  You should be in good shape, just keep an eye out for swarm preparations so you don't loose half your bees.  If your hive is booming this much, you might consider pulling a few frames of brood out and making a nuc as a backup.  Opening up the brood nest is a good swarm discourage-er.