Chicken bald back

[LittleLau]

I bought a few sacks of Woodchips a while ago. Used some in my run, and put an opened bag of woodchip away in the garage for later. Gave the run a rake over this morning and thought I'd top it up with some more chips. When I got the bag out of the garage and sliced the plastic open I noticed it was very damp in there, and had white stuff, which I'm guessing Is mould on it.

I'm sure I know the answer, but just checking as I'd rather not waste it. Will it dry out and be useable? Or even when dry, is the mould harmful to the birds?

 

Many Thanks

[Princess Leia]

Sounds like the woodchip you have is either softwood or has a lot of bark in it? Hardwood chips shouldn't have this problem. I've never experienced it but believe it can cause respiratory issues.

[LittleLau]

They are the hardwood Woodchips from Flyte So Fancy. I had heard about bark developing mould spores which was bad for chickens, so I made sure I ordered hardwood chips.

[Beantree]

Sure they will be fine when added to the run with plenty of fresh air LittleLau. The respiratory issues occur in confined areas, so a fully enclosed run would be a problem. We had mould growth on hardwood based exterior plywood, so it can happen.