AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

To address your original question.
I would wait as has been suggested correctly until they are feathered and then put them out in warm weather.
As to the white I do not have RIR or experience with the white in flights due to stress.
But I know from experience and reading Carefoot's publication on genetics that stress and temperature change do have an effect on colour and markings.
In his writings he states that even a small change in temp ( up or down) can cause a disruptive effect on the process of laying down colour pigments in developing feathers.It is more evident in varieties like pencilled Wyandottes and pullet breeding brown Leghorns where the standard stipulates very precise colour and markings.
In light of this information it would be expected the colour effects are temporary not permanent, so will moult out correctly colourwise at the next following change of feathers.
Other effects on colour and markings are feeding and dietary deficiencies.
The quicker nutruition and weather conditions allow a bird to proceed through the moult ( or in the case of chickens to feather up ) the better the results of colour and markings will be.
It is a case of sufficient nutruition to allow feather developement and colour pigments to be laid down quickly without interuption caused by stress of any kind or lack of available protiens, minerals and essential acids.

Thanks for the information on pigmentation Oaklands, I'm starting to look at the backyard chooks in a different light.

Yes thank you for explaining

Yep good explanation

Raf

Interesting stuff

Is it ok to put the tractor on buffalo grass with the chicks I am thinking they may over dose on eating the grass?

Or they may turn into buffalos! Hey, is that the source of Buffalo Wings????

har har I was serious though can they get diarrhea from too much grass

I was serious too, what are buffalo wings?

And seriously, I think the grass loosens them up a bit but it shouldn't harm them.

[quote="wickedwings"]I was serious too, what are buffalo wings?

Buffalo Wings originated in Buffalo, New York, the wings are deep fried, then coated in a vinegar, butter based cayenne sauce, and traditionally served with either a Blue Cheese or Ranch style dressing with celery sticks.

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/buffalo_wings/
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/16972/c ... eese+sauce
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/ranch-styl ... etail.aspx

Bon Appetite!

PS
The Taste recipe has bourbon and maple syrup and are particularly good cooked on a charcoal BBQ.