Mold problem, help!

[meggers32]

Hello there,

I just discovered mold growing in one of our chicken coops. This coop is OLD, but we had to use it when we had some chickens dropped on us. There is no electricity out there, so no lights in the coop and no heat to dry up moisture. The rain has come here and so has the mold. I have 7 chickens in there right now, one of which is sick (who I separated) and it is most likely because of the mold. Is there a safe way to kill the mold and make it safe for the chickens to stay out there? Or, do I need to get the chickens out of there and find them a new place? My other coop is just big enough for the 4 hens I have in there, and I have no idea where I would put my other chickens!

Also, do any of you have mold problems? Everything was fine until just a couple of days ago! Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[willowcol]

If it were me I would spray bleach water on the mold early in the morning with the chickens locked out. let it dry all day and open doors to ventilate. Is the roof leaking or is there no ventilation in the cope to cause the mold? I would add ventilation fix leaks and it should be fine.

 

[meggers32]

Willowcol,

Thanks for the help! There is quite a bit of ventilation in the coop in fact, it is an OLD coop, probably too old. It was the only place for them at the time. It doesn't really make sense though, there is plenty of air coming in, why all the mold? It is in the nesting boxes as well as on the wall. But, like I said, I have not put any lights out there, there is no electricity. How much good would the light do in preventing mold though? Ugh, I just want them to have a decent place to stay without having to build another coop in a day (Is that even possible?).

 

[willowcol]

Well it is possible to build a coop in a day (have built a small one fast). I would think if it has ventilation then it must be staying damp. I would take everything out that can be removed, clean all areas with bleach water let it set for as long as possible then wipe down with water. Try to dry it really good. Maybe fans run by extension cords. I understand how upset you are. I have never had this problem but feel for you. Can you find anything at all the keep them in for a few days ex. dog crates/houses.

 

[meggers32]

Willowcol,

Thanks for your help and concern, we will do what we can. I can find something, you know when push comes to shove, you can surprise yourself sometimes.

Take care!

 

[Cetawin]

Yeah bleach water is about the only thing to really get rid of it but the chickens would have to be out of there for sure.

Good luck with that.

 

[LynneP]

Once the hyphae of the mold get into wood you may be able to delay it temporarily with bleach, but ideally, when you can replace the wood, do so. You can also dust the area when it's dry with food-quality diatomaceous earth (DE) or stall-cleaning/drying agents like Stable Boy and Stall Dri. It's a tricky business and the source of the trouble may be as simple as a leak, a splash area near a waterer, or a place where your birds are depositing more manure, such as below a roost or platform.

When you can, it's worth replacing that wood, because your birds can get very sick and until you are free of the spores from the mold, you could have serious trouble. Sorry- this is a tough one, please let us know how it goes.