Inactive Lower Super

[StarrGin]

I have two hives.
Each hive consists of 3 medium suppers for colony (bees/brood).
I've noticed that currently the lower supper isn't seeming much activity, no brood or honey.  Some areas of the cone seem eaten away.
Is this normal?

The middle supers have the most brood activity, more honey in the top.  I'm just adding honey supers.
Should I rotate the lower super to the top of the colony stack?  Should I install new foundation in the frames or will the bees rebuild the eaten away areas?

[Vance G]

Do you have a Screened bottom board? Often it is too cold down there with one installed for spring brood rearing.  Was the part chewed away by mice?  Consider restricting air flow into your bottom brood box.

[StarrGin]

I do have screened bottom boards, but I keep them covered during the winter.

One hive had been invaded by a mouse, but I saw no sign of mice in the other.

I'll continue to monitor as the season/honey collection continues.

[Kathyp]

if you put the bottom one on the top, you'll put that honey between the middle and top box.  you are better off to leave it and let them build up, i think.  if you have a problem with things like SHB, you can rotate the box up and move frames up so that there is a clear path from the bottom to the top.  whatever you do, try not to divide the brood nest and don't leave a band of honey in the middle of stuff or the queen may not cross it to lay.

[capt44]

I split several hives for a beekeeper yesterday.
He had 2-3 boxes with the brood in the upper box and honey on the outside.
I put the brood on the bottom and checker boarded the bottom box with brood.
I put the empty box on top with the brood chamber on the bottom.
The bees and brood will be in the upper part of the hive in the spring.