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Our winter is so long and difficult that we have not much choice what to do.
When hives are feeded in September, we do not touch hives before than in March.
Thereis nothing to do them. Bees cannot go out and if we disturb them, they rush out to die.
Why to give 50 kg winter food to the hive if they manage to over winter with 20 kg?
Our bee researcher got 10 Macedonian queens and tried how they live here.
First 5 died next winter and the rest on second winter.
One Macedonian was on balance and prepared like any other hives. Hives had no brood on winter but they consumedso much that food ceased very soo. The speed was 80 kg in a winter and one box can have only 25 kg food.
Guys have bought nucs from New Zealand. One guy bought 10 nucs and all died in next winter.
If hive has brood in Autumn, it will die before December. You may add food but however bees become old without winter rest and die in Marsh when we have still full winter.
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