2 dead in 2 days and now 2 others are molting ......... ????

[GermanChick]

I lost 2 chickens this week what I thought might have been due to the extreme heat. I found each of them in the evening in the coop just laying on the floor, no obvious sign of injuries. They were 2 and 4 years old.

Now I have two chickens (2 years old) that seem to be molting. Is that even possible?? I thought they are only molting in fall/winter. I am getting somewhat worried that something else is going on with my chickens. I checked one of the molting ones out to see if I can see any mites but couldn't see any. There are new feathers growing and it really looks like molting. Don't know what to do.

All the other chickens and chicks seem to be doing fine and no obvious sign of any kind of illness.......

Thanks,

 

[CMV]

Any chance of botulism? That will cause sudden death and feather loss, but there are usually other signs that go along with it as well.

 

[GermanChick]

Thanks CMV, I just looked up Botulism but I don't think that's it. The first 2 dead ones didn't loose any feathers and didn't look sick at all. The two that are loosing feathers now are acting healthy too, they fly on their roost and run around and chase bugs. I guess I just have to wait and see if there are more dead ones or I don't know what to do

 

[CMV]

It's a tough time of year to be feathered. I haven't lost any birds this year, but I have in past summers. You would not be the first to be losing birds in the heat this year. I hope you have no more losses.

Good luck.