half frame of brood on Dec 11?

[FordGuy]

This doesn't seem right to me....

hive of NWCs. Light on feed (another reason im' worried about more mouths to feed...)

I wonder what could be the reason?

[Robert Hawkins]

Good question. I'm wondering if the queen has trouble shutting down for the winter and maybe has to squeeze out a little extra sometimes or whether the weather (sp is correct) might have trick em with a warm day or two.

Anyone have in put on the former?

Hawk

[Michael Bush]

They had the pollen and the bees and wanted some young bees to get through the winter?

Feed. Maybe you'll have a real boomer if they don't starve.

[FordGuy]

I should have also said we have had really nice weather here. They were light on stores, but had a whole frame of pollen. I will take your advice Mr. Bush and make sure they have plenty to eat so maybe in the spring they will explode.

[Aspera]

Is this typical or NWC? I've only had a couple of less than a year, and can't imagine them dying of anything other than dwindling numbers.

[db_land]

In central and eastern NC most of my hives have had some brood emerge in the past two weeks. The temps have been averaging mid 30s at night, 45-55 highs. I've been monitoring mite drops and holding off OA vapor treating a couple hives until they become free of brood. I'm beginning to think the hives down east (Clinton NC) will be raising brood all winter! My bees are mostly "feral" (removals and swarms). :cool:

[FordGuy]

So DB-Land, is it more likely that hives in our area because of unusually warm temps could be in a greater danger if this was followed by an unusually cold snap?

What other normal routines must be changed when you have a winter brood, is it just ensuring they have adequate food?

[King bee apiary]

Mine havn't stopped yet,I see at least one orientation flight a day,could be just to relieve themselves but temps are in the 30's at night and 50-80 during the days.Have been feeding over the last few weeks and just stopped last week.I was expecting them to totaly stop by now but what the heck,I'll feed them and have a stronger hive next spring hopefully.Just wish there was some nectar or pollen around with these temps..
Here hoping for a booming year..