Different breeds mature differently, but most chicks just have downy ears. When they molt in as a junior adult, the earlobes will often be revealed. Pale pink can turn to white on the earlobe. They probably were always a bit lighter, but you just didn't notice.
Yep. White earlobes. And they...
Are you talking about the white earlobe? Different breeds have different colored ear lobes. The color doesn't finalize until maturity. I zoomed into the photo and didn't see any "white crust."
LofMc