White mold

[wendigo]

I noticed today that part of the ground in the coop's yard is turning white. I assumed it's mold and I tried to scrub it off and then I smelled this horrible stinging stench. It isn't hairy or anything, it just looks like the ground is turning white. Same thing on the roof, but there it looks like it's sprinkled if that makes sense. It's weird because everything is ventilated as it's outside. We had about 1 week of rain and high humidity so that might be the cause.

How do I get rid of it? Are there any sprays that aren't toxic for the chickens?

 

[TTracy]

I noticed today that part of the ground in the coop's yard is turning white. I assumed it's mold and I tried to scrub it off and then I smelled this horrible stinging stench. It isn't hairy or anything, it just looks like the ground is turning white. Same thing on the roof, but there it looks like it's sprinkled if that makes sense. It's weird because everything is ventilated as it's outside. We had about 1 week of rain and high humidity so that might be the cause.

How do I get rid of it? Are there any sprays that aren't toxic for the chickens?

We have had issues like this once or twice, Always after a long period of rain and it doesn't help that our run is in deep shade. I scrape the layer of moldy dirt with a shovel and remove it, then rototilled the entire run. Haven't ever had it on our coop roof, but you could try using white vinegar in a spray bottle. Vinegar is a natural remedy. Also you could use tea tree oil in a spray bottle with water. I don't know if these would work real well on the ground though.

 

[yogifink]

Here is some interesting reading on white mold: http://whitemold.org/

From what I am gathering, it is very similar to black mold and needs to be treated accordingly. Spray the roof with a bleach water solution, and keep an eye on it. If it is growing on the shingles, it is more than likely growing under the shingles...Do a through inspection around the entire coop inside and out (dont forgert about the underside) and treat where needed.

I like TTracy's idea of removing the top layer of soil, and tilling. Maybe also consider removing any kind of debris that is laying around that can collect moisture and add some sand or some stone into the mix before/during rototilling to improve drainage.

 

[Becca Christopher]

I noticed today that part of the ground in the coop's yard is turning white. I assumed it's mold and I tried to scrub it off and then I smelled this horrible stinging stench. It isn't hairy or anything, it just looks like the ground is turning white. Same thing on the roof, but there it looks like it's sprinkled if that makes sense. It's weird because everything is ventilated as it's outside. We had about 1 week of rain and high humidity so that might be the cause.

How do I get rid of it? Are there any sprays that aren't toxic for the chickens?

Ok. Same exact problem as you. A smooth white -mold or fungus idk- and the smell is almost unbearable. This post and your description is the only thing I have found online that accurately describe whatever is growing in the coop. Mine is located at the base of the coop. So I read this post and the advice given but instead of white vinegar I used acv. The smell was so bad that I had to wear a mask. I removed all of it that I could and used a whole spray bottle of water and acv mix. It was gone foe a couple of weeks and now is worse than before as if I just spread it. My coop sits in the middle of my run and their run is a couple hundred square feet so its not like they are confined in their coop and constantly surrounded and no one is or has shown any sign of being ill but obviously this could cause problems in the future. There is a giant tree growing up the middle of their run so its constantly shaded with a slight low spot so occasionally it will stay damp there a day or two longer than anywbere else in my yard. We also tried to level out the ground so water could pass through easier. But the coop was built and has been there since 2015. Ive noticed a couple of place around the bottom of the wood frame some wood is in the process of rotting. I feel like my only solution since the coop can not be relocated is to build a coop that sits on four legs..? I will provide a photo of our coop.(fyi their run in sided and covered above, this was our first week of building and installing everything, but notice it sits completely on the ground but also the floor of the coop is the same wire that lines the outside of the coop-covered with topsoil of course) If ANYONE has any more suggestion I am all ears.

 

[Llcoolj]

I had the same problem, but in my chickens run. It was most noticeable after a heavy rain, high humidity and in areas where there were fresh droppings. I bought an organic bird bath additive that's used to keep algae, mildew and the green scum out of bird baths/ fountains/waterer's. It is non toxic to birds, fish and humans.... even in large quantities. I mixed 0.5-1oz of the solution and water in a spray bottle and sprayed it directly on the white mold and 2" adjacent to the affected areas. I did 3 treatments a few hours apart as the run dried and it was gone by the end of the day. Hope this helps

 

[aart]

I noticed today that part of the ground in the coop's yard is turning white. I assumed it's mold and I tried to scrub it off and then I smelled this horrible stinging stench. It isn't hairy or anything, it just looks like the ground is turning white. Same thing on the roof, but there it looks like it's sprinkled if that makes sense. It's weird because everything is ventilated as it's outside. We had about 1 week of rain and high humidity so that might be the cause.

How do I get rid of it? Are there any sprays that aren't toxic for the chickens?

Pics would be most helpful here....otherwise we're all just guessing.
Are there trees above area?