What’s up with the mildew inside new coop?

[Birdsong 82]

My husband and recently finished new 12x8 chicken coop for additions to flock. I used barn paint inside and outside like I have on lots of animal shelters and coops in the past. Always worked good But about 2-3 weeks after we were done I noticed there was a layer of mildew on the inside and outside. It’s more of a dust that wipes off. At first I figured it was the unusual amount of rainfall and humidity tho year but it comes back every 2-3 weeks. Any suggestions so I don’t have to wipe down walls constantly?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Maybe clean with a diluted bleach solution and see if that keeps it at bay until it is drier out.

 

[aart]

My husband and recently finished new 12x8 chicken coop for additions to flock. I used barn paint inside and outside like I have on lots of animal shelters and coops in the past. Always worked good But about 2-3 weeks after we were done I noticed there was a layer of mildew on the inside and outside. It’s more of a dust that wipes off. At first I figured it was the unusual amount of rainfall and humidity tho year but it comes back every 2-3 weeks. Any suggestions so I don’t have to wipe down walls constantly?

Is it in any of the other shelters?
More ventilation maybe?
Are you sure it's not just dust?

 

[Birdsong 82]

They actually just started roosting in there recently because they usually roost outside but we’ve been moving them in the evening So they get used to it by the time the temperature drops this coming fall and winter.My first thought was ventilation but we hadn’t even put the door in so the entire 3x 6. doorway is open close then theres a window and top ventilation areas. It is weird because it brushes off like a dust but it’s a dark greenish color. That’s what made me think it was Mildew But I’ve never seen Mill Dude just brush off of something so easily. I haven’t noticed it in any of the shelters or the smaller coop.

 

[Birdsong 82]

Didn’t mean to attach the files. But I’m not really good at using this phone to post yet. But since they are there the top two are what it looks like when we were just about done and the last three pictures are what it looks like less than a month after word. Like I said it wipes right off just like a dust and real easy.

 

[Ptera]

You could try Concrobium. You spray it on, wipe off the mold, then spray it on again & let it dry. It's supposed to suppress the mold & keep it from returning as fast. Once mold's in wood it sends down shoots deep inside. You might have to treat it several times. Keep the birds out until it's dried, but it's supposed to be safe for animals. I use it in my home's crawl space and don't remove my parrots from the house when I'm spraying it. If your coop is in the shade or under trees, can you move it out in the open where more sun will hit it? Birds will also give off steam at night. A closed coop can trap it in there. After a long stretch of rain/humidity, you could set a fan in the window to draw the moisture out.

 

[aart]

It is weird because it brushes off like a dust but it’s a dark greenish color. That’s what made me think it was Mildew But I’ve never seen Mill Dude just brush off of something so easily.

Green would indicate something growing.
Late in season, but wonders if it's some kind of pollen?

"Mill Dude" I know it's auto something but still....

 

[Birdsong 82]

Green would indicate something growing.
Late in season, but wonders if it's some kind of pollen?

"Mill Dude" I know it's auto something but still....

That’s funny. Didn’t even notice it till you’ve replied. There’s actually a contact in my phone name to Mill Dude. I can never remember his name but he’s part of the milling crew at work. I do love AutoCorrect sometimes. It can be good for a laugh.

 

[Birdsong 82]

You could try Concrobium. You spray it on, wipe off the mold, then spray it on again & let it dry. It's supposed to suppress the mold & keep it from returning as fast. Once mold's in wood it sends down shoots deep inside. You might have to treat it several times. Keep the birds out until it's dried, but it's supposed to be safe for animals. I use it in my home's crawl space and don't remove my parrots from the house when I'm spraying it. If your coop is in the shade or under trees, can you move it out in the open where more sun will hit it? Birds will also give off steam at night. A closed coop can trap it in there. After a long stretch of rain/humidity, you could set a fan in the window to draw the moisture out.

The coop is backed up against where the woods begin in my backyard so I made sure the front of it it was in the direction we’re sunlight hits it most of the day. Unfortunately to make the 8 x 12 as stable as I wanted it and building it on a slope the four by fours at the corners are invited a foot in the ground. There’s no moving that thing. The fan is a great idea. We have no power source outside but maybe looking into a battery operated fan for those occasions maybe will help. @aart also made a good point about whether it’s mold or something else. I guess first I would need to figure out what I’m dealing with. If it’s not mildew that would make me feel a little better because my main concern other than the obvious is moisture inside the coop during winter and causing frostbite issues.

 

[Birdsong 82]

You could try Concrobium. You spray it on, wipe off the mold, then spray it on again & let it dry. It's supposed to suppress the mold & keep it from returning as fast. Once mold's in wood it sends down shoots deep inside. You might have to treat it several times. Keep the birds out until it's dried, but it's supposed to be safe for animals. I use it in my home's crawl space and don't remove my parrots from the house when I'm spraying it. If your coop is in the shade or under trees, can you move it out in the open where more sun will hit it? Birds will also give off steam at night. A closed coop can trap it in there. After a long stretch of rain/humidity, you could set a fan in the window to draw the moisture out.

Also going to look into that spray. Actually you’ve helped me with that suggestion in more ways than one. We had a slow leak in our house recently and we are replacing and repairing areas of black mold in mildew in the walls and underneath the carpeting. A lot of it is getting replaced but that spray may help In areas that weren’t affected as badly. So definitely thank you