-"if managed properly they shouldn't need it" that's just rubbish trotted out by people who would rather see a colony perish than flourishing
Amazing how people cannot read of read in context. It does not say "will not"; it says "should not". A subtle difference that is far too subtle for some.
Let's look at it sensibly. Hives with adequate, or more than adequate, stores going into winter should get through the winter on those stores. Clearly a lot don't as they seem to need emergency fondant feeding.
One hive beekeepers. They are the ones to panic or fall short of autumn targets. Unfortunately many have no experience and have no other option anyway.
Two hive beekeepers. I wonder how many attempt to get two full colonies through the winter even though they are too weak or poorly stocked with bees. Far better to reinforce one colony, feed it full and leave it alone. The other colony should then be treated as a nucleus which often do need more attention than larger colonies. Unfortunately it rarely happens ad it should. I wonder if many new beeks even think this way.
Three or more colony beeks. They should have at least two strong colonies to over-winter. But do they? Well managed or not so well managed?
Beeks with more than three colonies - these are more likely to rationalise their colonies ready for winter, more likely to successfully take the odd nuc, or more, through as insurance, and should be much more confident/able to manage their bees properly.
Seems these days that there are a lot of inexperienced beeks who have quickly expanded from one to four plus - but all weak - in double quick time, who think taking four or more weak colonies into winter is the way to go. Is that good management or not?
It is not. Weak colonies are the ones that do not take the autumn feed quickly, do not manage to draw all frames and/or fill them while brooding sufficient winter bees, are potentially less healthy, etc, etc.
As the poster rightly said "should"; as for the response, well just not thinking or unable to read posts accurately. Beekeeping needs careful thinking and organisation (management). Sometimes it is lacking.
RAB
