I have 6 RIR that are around 4 weeks old. They've been without a heat source since they were a little over a week old (I'm a mean chick momma), have had no problems with them not having a heat source, and I feel it hardened them up a little earlier. So now I'm just wondering when I'll be able to move them outside, and again with no heat source. They pretty feathered out, everything except their heads but I can see it starting to change. I'm in the Midwest (Kansas to be exact) and we've been having some wonky weather. 80's one day, snow flurries the next. Some nights are in the 30's, others in the 50's. Is it still too early? Should I maybe move them into the garage without a heat source as a transition place first?
honestly taking the heat away from them so early doesn't harden them up any faster it just causes them to use more of their energy to try and stay warm and in doing so you've already weakened them, i wouldn't put them outside in 30 degree weather until they are fully feathered.
