BR face changing from light pink to red and back

[pfields]

Today I noticed that my Australorp rooster and Australorp hens' feathers are starting to get the same rusty red color of my BR. It's mostly on their back and tail feathers that I see a rusty red color. None of the GSL or EE's have changed feather colors at all.

 

[lovemy6hens]

That's very interesting. I hope someone can answer.

 

[pfields]

Here are some pictures of my rooster before and after with the frayed faded feathers and a one hen now. I've checked for bugs, no bugs at all. I've looked for worms, no worms or signs of worms. The coop is free of parasites. They free range from 6:30 am till 8:30 pm, so I know they get plenty of light. They have food available at all time with treats of watermelon, bread scraps, etc., when available. The only change is their feed (from Texas Natural to Purina Omega Layena pellets) and the mister that I set up for them in this 105 degree heat index we've had for days. The GSL that I have also look dull and their tail feathers are frayed. Am I drying out their bodies with them being under the mister most of the day and if so can I give them oil of some sort to replenish their loss?

hen now, she was beautiful black with a green shine in the sun


Mr. Black before when he was shiny black and green glow in sun


Now he's dull black with rusty red hues and frayed feathers.

 

[lovemy6hens]

That is certainly a huge difference. Maybe it has something to do with the mineral content in the water from the mister. That's just a guess though.
They're free range, so they have some place to go if they don't want to be under the mister, right? As long as they're not under it for extended periods of time, I assume it wouldn't damage their feathers. That's also just a guess and strongly depends on how "extended" is defined.

 

[pfields]

That is certainly a huge difference. Maybe it has something to do with the mineral content in the water from the mister. That's just a guess though.
They're free range, so they have some place to go if they don't want to be under the mister, right? As long as they're not under it for extended periods of time, I assume it wouldn't damage their feathers. That's also just a guess and strongly depends on how "extended" is defined.

Yes, they look very different. They eat, drink like normal and they're laying eggs like crazy.

We have a water well with very soft water so not sure about the mineral content in the water. They can get away from the mister if they want, it's only under one tree but they park there most of the day due to the intense heat. I turn the mister on around 10 am and turn it off around 7-7:30 pm.

We did get rain today and I noticed they stayed out in the rain, too. If it pours down hard they go into the coop but stay out with a light rain. We need rain bad here in Palacios. The grass in my yard is either dead or dying. We've watered our garden but don't want to stress the well.