Keeping the coop dry?

So my coop is mostly open, I'd say the whole top 1/3 of 3 sides becuase in my area in california it doesn't often get below 30 even at night but summers are over 100 for sometimes 2 full months. Except that I have a tarp over the roof and 2 sides right now due to the roof leaking and I should have built the north and south sides up higher for wind protection. The floor is dirt, ideally it would be cement but that will have to wait till we can buy land.

So my issue the coop is 95% dry especially since we added the tarp over the roof. But I'm worried becuase the past few times I've cleaned the coop when moving the feed and water the ground is damp and has a white mold or fungus growing under. We built some wooden block platforms to set the feed and water in to help raise them up and to level them better. But I'm still finding this mold under the blocks (at least it's not on top). I'm seeing 1 or 2 issuses. Of course the water is a plastic container and if not level will leak, adding to the water in the soil. But the feed is 3 feet from the water so I'm assuming that either moisture is just collecting under the block or coming up through the soil.

So 1 is a simple white mold dangerous? Especially since it's contained under the block and they can't scratch or peck at it? I'm assuming any mold would be better to not be there at all.

And 2 what can I do to help eliminate this issue? I need to keep the water in the coop at least over night becuase we have had a few freezing nights and would prefer to have a water both in and out incase I can't let them out at first light like normal especially during summer.

Would it be best to just lay some pine shaving on the ground for extra moisure control? Is there another product that might work? Should I even worry about something contained and hiding under a block (as long as it isn't exposed or touching the feed and water)?

I would personally move the water around, letting spots dry out, you can sprinkle barn lime on the spots. I wouldn't use shavings as they will create more mold. You can also raise your waterer up like you have, or put them inside something like a rubber bowl. You don't want wet feed as it can cause botulism which is deadly, keep more distant between the two.

oldhenlikesdogs said:

I would personally move the water around, letting spots dry out, you can sprinkle barn lime on the spots. I wouldn't use shavings as they will create more mold. You can also raise your waterer up like you have, or put them inside something like a rubber bowl. You don't want wet feed as it can cause botulism which is deadly, keep more distant between the two.

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Thank you. The coop is only about 4x6 foot so I'm still trying to work out where each can got with out getting pooped in each night. I will try that and see if it helps. At least with the blocks I know the mold isn't touched the feeders, but now to get rid of the mold...

Leave the feed in the coop if you don't have a cover for it and leave the water in the run. My coop is on stilts so feed hangs under it to stay dry and water is in the run. There is no need to keep feed and water in a coop if you let the birds out in the morning. It just makes for a mess and confines coop space.