Neck feathers changing on Buff Orpington chickens

[B&B Farms]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the right spot for this but I have 7 Buff Orpingtons and they all have varying degrees of color changes on the feathers on their necks. Their behavior is normal and my other chickens seem fine. I'm attaching pictures for a clearer picture of what is going on. I'd appreciate any input.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

They look dirty or oily. Have they been digging around in some darker stuff? Doe it wipe off?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Very interesting, I have no clue but waiting to see what others have to say. Are the pictures of one chicken or more? The picture with you hand on it, the comb has some dark coloring to it & feathering below your thumb looks to have the same "darker" coloring under tone. I'm thinking they may be a mix. What are their ages? Where'd you get them from?

 

[Kathy Golla]

Looks like they’ve been into something with their necks, like through a fence?

 

[B&B Farms]

I didn't see anything oily or darker in their run and none of them have gotten out. The fencing we have does have big enough holes for their heads to pop through so that could be it. They will be a year old in about a month or so and we got them from Jake's Feed which is just a local store that sells farm supplies.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I didn't see anything oily or darker in their run and none of them have gotten out. The fencing we have does have big enough holes for their heads to pop through so that could be it. They will be a year old in about a month or so and we got them from Jake's Feed which is just a local store that sells farm supplies.

That definitely could be from the fence metal.

 

[B&B Farms]

We haven't tried wiping it off yet, I'll try that tomorrow.

 

[summerb123]

Interesting... I've only had that to my roosters when they molt...