Hive stacking

[Tommy]

Evening all. I was checking my hives last week, and noted one is much stronger than the other. I was originally going to put the weak one in a nuc box for the winter, but decided I am going to use a single deep instead. I was reading about putting the strong hive on the bottom, using a double screen board and then adding the weak hive, inner cover, insulation, etc. That way heat will rise up from the strong hive. Both hives will have enough honey to get by and I was going to put the "mountain camp" of sugar on each hive. Has anyone tried this method? What were your results like? From what I've read, it seems others have had good results but I'm interested to hear from y'all. Thanks.

[rwlaw]

I've done it to springtime hives, but there's a disadvantage for overwintering. If you have to put more emergency feed on the stronger hive it's going to be a major disruption to the smaller one ( if they break cluster, they might not be able to regroup).
I'm more inclined to think a nuc box in a five over five configuration and insulation would be a better idea, that way if they make it, they've made it on their own.

[Bakersdozen]

I don't have any experience with hive stacking for winter prep.  Have you considered combining hives and then splitting them in the spring?
I have used the mountain camp method with out any problems.  When you peak in to check and they are all at the top, you do what you can.  I did it in an emergency situation several times.  I also misted the sugar with water so that they wouldn't remove it out the front door. 
I hope your weak hive comes through for 'ya.

[Tommy]

I thought about adding the hives togeather but I think the little one may make it. They have lots of stores and I'll add in the mountain camp of sugar on top just in case they need it. Thanks for the replies.

[Perry]

If the single has plenty of bees, I've overwintered them that way as well, just make sure they have extra stores (fondant) over the inner cover hole if they need it. There are plenty of keeps who actually overwinter singles regularly, even in PEI.

[Lburou]

I'm assuming your NS summer is over and there is not much on the horizon for forage.   Here, there is constant robbing pressure, moreso during the many dearths we experience, so hives vulnerable to robbing need to be adorned with a robbing screen. 

If your smaller hive is healthy enough to survive on its own, you may get by as Perry suggested.  I might reverse the position of the hives to bolster the population of the smaller hive and equalize hive strength to minimize robbing.  Perry would know if it's too late in the season there to try and equalize (reverse positions of) the hives, but I might consider it.  If they are foraging, it is not too late.  JMO