Could this be a problem?

[Buckeye11]

I built a coop inside an old barn, well after looking up in the hay mound of the barn, there is some straw bales that are dark brown and kinda have a damp smell. The chickens will live down below the straw. Will it hurt the chickens to live in an area around molded straw or wild bird droppings? They wont be stepping in it but they will be breathing some of the fumes even if keep all the vents open.

 

[TwoCrows]

It is very possible that the moldy hay and the wild bird droppings will carry disease. I do know that fresh bird droppings do carry disease and when moist, the bacteria can multiply. Mold is carried thru the air and is known to give respiratory issues to poultry and humans as well.

You might want to clean the barn up a bit. Do your best to remove as much of the hay and bird droppings as you can. And of course keep the ventilation to a maximum.

 

[CCCCCCCCHICKENS]

Chickens have sensitive respiratory systems, so I am sure breathing the fumes from the moldy hay is not good for them. You should clean out all the moldy hay.

 

[Mrs. K]

never bothers mine, I use old icky hay for bedding. A little won't bother them, and that far away, I would not worry about it.

 

[Buckeye11]

I will clean up the straw but the bird droppings are caked in some areas. This area is about 40 feet from the coop area and will always have issues with wild bird poop since the barn has many small openings. Would it be best to try to close up the coop side of the barn as much as possible?

 

[TwoCrows]

My chickens caught MS from wild birds getting into their water and feed. I had a nightmare on my hands for one year following diagnoses and of course they are carriers for life now, even though the symptoms have subsided. So I would do your best to deter wild birds from getting anywhere near your chickens.

 

[Buckeye11]

Would it be better to close off the coop section of the barn from the bird droppings and straw, or would the ventilation be more important?

 

[TwoCrows]

Both are important. Ventilation is really important, but so is a clean environment. You will have to experiment with the best way to keep your birds safe and healthy.

 

[Buckeye11]

Okay, thanks so much. I was just worried about the about the fumes from the wild birds and the dust that comes down from up in the hay mound. I have some clear plastic sheeting, could that help keep the wild bird poop and straw smell up in the hay mound or would it just be better to let the barn "breathe" naturally and drafty? I'm sorry I have a lot of questions but I would hate to see my chicks grow up in a place that they were going to have respiratory issues.

 

[TwoCrows]

Ventilation is better than still air. But you don't want mold and spores blowing around either. If this were my situation, I would do my best to clean up what I could and let the barn breathe.