[AmandaH]

Hey everyone.  I know it's a bit late to start a new thread but just thought I'd post this before I toddled up the wooden hill to Bedfordshire (Hubby out gallavanting so taking advantage to get an early night in)...

I recently bought some hardwood chips (B&Q) for the floor of my run.  Girls are only in there in the morning, free range in the garden all afternoon.  However, had a half a bag left over and this morning I had a bit of a tidy up, cleaned out the run, and decided to top up the chips with the half bag I had left.

But - the chips in the bag seemed to have grown a little bit of blue-green mould.  Is this bad?  I didn't use it, just in case, but it seems such a waste.

Do chips always do this, once you open the bag?

Right, off to put my jammys on now...

Night all x

[Foxy]

Dont worry, its harmless, rake it and allow to dry out and it will be fine!

[newChickenMummy]

We bought those as well and it does say on the bag that they might grow a bit of mould while in the bag but it says this should disappear. Not sure if its harmful to chooks though, maybe try spreading them somewhere flat to dry before putting them in to see if the mould disappears?

They are meant to be natural wood chippings so i wouldn't have thought it could be anything dangerous.

[power_of_p3]

Well, thats good to know.  We got some recently deceased tree chippings dumped down the lottie the other day and some of it seems to have like a blue/green powder on and I was wondering whether it was harmful...good to know it's normal

BB ~~jo~~

[AmandaH]

That's great, thanks for that, getting a bit paranoid about mould spores  

[Foxy]

Mould spores are only really harmful in damp dark conditions with poor ventilation. To be absolutely certain you can always squirt with Jeyes for total peace of mind! 

[power_of_p3]

Hey Foxy,

Would the jeyes not be harmful to the chickens when they scratch in it, or eat any bugs on the chip?

BB ~~jo~~

[AmandaH]

I don't use Jeyes but isn't it bleach by another name?  

[power_of_p3]

wel yeah, amanda thats why i wouldn't think its a good idea to use it.  sure foxy will be round soon toclear it up anyways.

BB ~~jo~~