Mold/mildew everywhere!

[sassfras]

It has been a very hot, humid summer in New England this year. My husband built our ladies a beautiful coop this summer and before I could treat the wood, it has started to mold/mildew. Powdery, grey awfulness everywhere, inside and out (it’s all new lumber). It has windows, and since I have yet to put up screen on the overhangs, air flowing through there, plus the door. Anyone else dealing with this? How can I treat all of what is growing as well as prevent further issues?

 

[blackdog043]

Powdery, grey awfulness everywhere, inside and out

Do you have a picture, are you sure it's mold?

 

[pennyJo1960]

Treat with light bleach and water is there a way to use a spray of a sealer or even the new rubber in a can anything to cover the wood ?

 

[sassfras]

Treat with light bleach and water is there a way to use a spray of a sealer or even the new rubber in a can anything to cover the wood ?

I’m hoping to be able to actually paint the outside, if the rain and humidity would just give me a chance! Inside I’m worried about using anything with too strong a smell since I know chickens have sensitive lungs.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Are your chickens using the coop already?
I painted the inside of my coop with water based outdoor paint. It is nice and bright, plus I could scrub the walls once needed. There was little smell.
The mold will be much more hazardous to them than paint fumes. But, you would have to keep them out to paint or put a water sealant on. Plus, you have to get rid of the mold. So, while doing that what are your plans? While kept out of the coop, I would just paint/seal then.

 

[aart]

Bleach solution would work, but you'll have to let it dry and air out thoroughly before allowing birds back in.......then also after painting. Fans might help with this.

It's hard tho in a humid environment.
Is the coop in the shade?

 

[sassfras]

Do you have a picture, are you sure it's mold?

 

[sassfras]

Do you have a picture, are you sure it's mold?

One of the pics is inside, this is outside.

 

[sassfras]

Bleach solution would work, but you'll have to let it dry and air out thoroughly before allowing birds back in.......then also after painting. Fans might help with this.

It's hard tho in a humid environment.
Is the coop in the shade?

It is in the shade, under trees... basically in heaven for that stuff to grow. Unfortunately I was limited on placement as our towns building permits only allow it in certain spots.

 

[sassfras]

Are your chickens using the coop already?
I painted the inside of my coop with water based outdoor paint. It is nice and bright, plus I could scrub the walls once needed. There was little smell.
The mold will be much more hazardous to them than paint fumes. But, you would have to keep them out to paint or put a water sealant on. Plus, you have to get rid of the mold. So, while doing that what are your plans? While kept out of the coop, I would just paint/seal then.

I knooooow, I feel like the worst chicken Mom ever! They are inside already, and don’t have elsewhere to stay. I had bought supplies to white wash the inside (the lime treatment), but the weather has just been so awful (it makes no sense but if it wasn’t 90 degrees with oppressive humidity, it was raining). I had read straight white vinegar can be effective against mold, has anyone tried this?