Greasy chicken feathers

[Dandella-x]

Hi there
No idea where else to put this but was just curious. My chickens (Pekin bantam Rooster & hen, Silkie hen + two baby chicks). The rooster and silkie hen seem to have what looks like greasy feathers. Non of the other three have the same look and it's been this way for as long as I can remember. (My Pekin bantam hen has been nesting since her 3 month old chicks, she's currently on 5 eggs so she spends a lot of her time in the coop and her feathers are fine) I've checked for the obvious signs of fleas/mites but all seem happy and healthy and are free range. I just wonder why they look greasy?

Many thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are they actually greasy, or more of a shiny sheen, the oil comes from the chicken itself, they have a oil preens gland at the base of the tail that they use to put their feathers right, perhaps it's just the way they are, though I have never seen a greasy silkie, due to the way feathers are, maybe a picture of them would help.

 

[ChickenMammX4]

Doesn't dust bathing absorb excess oil from the feathers? Are those chickens dust bathing regularly? Maybe for some reason they aren't "bathing" like the others.