Help needed. Possible mold from water seeping in.

[Sbenson92620]

So what about in winter? I know proper ventilation is still needed but what about when it gets to -5° with the windchill here... if I were to do 4sqft of open area (1sqft per bird) I would end up having an entire wall open. Wouldn't that be too much for winter? Would I just close it up a bit to make it warmer?

 

[3KillerBs]

So what about in winter? I know proper ventilation is still needed but what about when it gets to -5° with the windchill here... if I were to do 4sqft of open area (1sqft per bird) I would end up having an entire wall open. Wouldn't that be too much for winter? Would I just close it up a bit to make it warmer?

That's one of the problems with those small, prefab coops.

The northerners can provide more details, but chickens can tolerate a lot of cold if it's dry and draft-free -- they've got built-in down parkas. But the moisture from their breath and their poop has to be able to escape or it condenses on their combs and causes frostbite.

 

[aart]

My husband seems to think that it's just the grain of the wood

That would be my first thought too.

I believe it's mildew, I was able to scrape some off with my fingernail in one spot.

Wipe it with a dry white paper towel.....moisture, black stuff?

I do plan on adding a carport over the coop for protection from the sun, rain and snow.

Do this pronto, that will eliminate any moisture seeping thru,
and enable you to open up some ventilation.

 

[Sbenson92620]

That's one of the problems with those small, prefab coops.

The northerners can provide more details, but chickens can tolerate a lot of cold if it's dry and draft-free -- they've got built-in down parkas. But the moisture from their breath and their poop has to be able to escape or it condenses on their combs and causes frostbite.

It's actually a homemade coop that I bought used. It's very well built and sturdy... just has some design flaws. It'll last me a year or so until I move and upgrade to a large walk in coop.

 

[Sbenson92620]

That would be my first thought too.


Wipe it with a dry white paper towel.....moisture, black stuff?


Do this pronto, that will eliminate any moisture seeping thru,
and enable you to open up some ventilation.

So I wiped it with a paper towel. It wasn't moist, hasn't rained here in a few days. No black stuff came off, just some brown dust (probably from pine shavings). I took a couple photos again. I hope they're easier to see. It's so hard to take photos in there lol. The first 2 pics are the same photo, just with and without flash.

 

[Sbenson92620]

I will say that the other day when it was wet out... I took my nail and scratched the dark spot in the third photo. Some black stuff came off under my nail then. Today I just did the same thing and nothing, no black stuff. It's nice and dry in there.

 

[aart]

I will say that the other day when it was wet out... I took my nail and scratched the dark spot in the third photo. Some black stuff came off under my nail then. Today I just did the same thing and nothing, no black stuff. It's nice and dry in there.

I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Check again after a hard rain event to see if there is leakage/seepage.

Caulking can be a crap shoot and may be totally unnecessary.

 

[Sbenson92620]

I wouldn't worry about it too much.
Check again after a hard rain event to see if there is leakage/seepage.

Caulking can be a crap shoot and may be totally unnecessary.

I just finished caulking the exterior corners. It's not supposed to rain until sunday so we'll see how it holds up. I need to run to my in-laws house to grab the carport asap. Thanks for all the advice!! Everyone has been so helpful! Especially since I'm so unsure of myself.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Putting it under the carport will help a lot, and will also give you more leeway with having some ventilation open through all weather.

Optimally, if you can make a top hinged cover for any external ventilation, that would be your best bet, because even in winter weather, you can still prop it partially open to provide some airflow, while the top hinged cover provides wind/climate protection.

 

[Sbenson92620]

Putting it under the carport will help a lot, and will also give you more leeway with having some ventilation open through all weather.

Optimally, if you can make a top hinged cover for any external ventilation, that would be your best bet, because even in winter weather, you can still prop it partially open to provide some airflow, while the top hinged cover provides wind/climate

Great advice, thank you so much! I'll definitely look into that.