Foiled by yellow/white mold??

[MissGreenJeans]

Hey, chicken peeps! I’m trying hard to finish constructing my chicken coop and run. I decided to dig out most of the pointy gravel in the run area and ordered a couple cubic yards of screened topsoil to fill in the run area instead. A company came and dumped a huge pile of the topsoil on top of a clean tarp next to the new coop area. I immediately covered it with a second tarp so it wouldn’t get wet. My job is kinda nuts, so it’s taken me a few weeks to be ready for that stage—shoveling the dirt into the chicken run. I figured it would wait for me just fine under the tarps. Today I took the top tarp off and, lo and behold, a bunch of mold has grown on it. I’d say at least half of the surface has got patches if white, spider-web looking mold, and one corner, where it looks like some moisture got in after a hard rain, is covered in this nasty yellow/white stuff. I’m now worried that I can’t use this dirt I paid a pretty penny for! I don’t want to make my chickens sick. I’ve heard (and read) so many bad stories about chickens and mold. ARGH!! Is there anything I can do?

 

[kerbotx]

Call the place where you bought the dirt and ask for their advice - you might be able to toss some ag lime or diatomaceous earth on it and be good to go.

 

[MissGreenJeans]

Call the place where you bought the dirt and ask for their advice - you might be able to toss some ag lime or diatomaceous earth on it and be good to go.

I sure hope so! I left a message for them—and I’ll keep my fingers crossed! Thanks for the reply!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Now that it is uncovered does the sun hit it or is it in the shade?

 

[MissGreenJeans]

Now that it is uncovered does the sun hit it or is it in the shade?

Luckily, I think, the sun hits it now that it’s uncovered.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I don't know what kind of mold that is but I know the sun will help dry it out and is good at killing things.

Maybe use a disposable dish or scoop like an old cool whip tub to bag up that grossness and trash it. That could speed things along.

I am curious what the dirt people will have to say.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I found this interesting. Numerous sites show up with the same scientific name when I started looking for info.

https://www.ehow.com/facts_7866741_yellow-fungus-top-soil.html

 

[Kiki]

Might be dog vomit slime mold.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Might be dog vomit slime mold.

That's what I found info on. Pretty gross looking but harmless....and dries up so there's that.

 

[MissGreenJeans]

I found this interesting. Numerous sites show up with the same scientific name when I started looking for info.

https://www.ehow.com/facts_7866741_yellow-fungus-top-soil.html

This is so helpful! Thank you!