Just found baby chicks in my coop

[chickenlover210]

Well, I just found baby chicks in my coop and I don't know how long they have been there because they could have been hiding but they are dry and fluffy. The store is closed and I have no idea what to feed them. I can't get out untill tomorrow. What can I feed them in the mean time?

 

[gryeyes]

Chopped up hard boiled eggs will do for a day or two.

 

[chickenlover210]

ok thanks, would crushed layer pellets suffice?

 

[Sissy]

I would just stick to the hard boiled eggs.nothing else.
and water you could add a dash, sugar so they get used to drinking water then
add 1 tablespoom (ACV) apple cider vinegar
to a gal of water (after 2 week old).and my birds are on that for their life time .
keeps from getting worms, shine to their feathers and just all round healthy.
and no medicated feed as least thats how mine are raised.

 

[robk0220]

Absolutely NO layer pellets!!!!!!!!!!!!! it will kill them.

 

[Kittymomma]

A day or two of layer isn't likely to hurt them, but they won't be able to eat the pellets very well unless you crush them up a bit. The calcium in the layer is way to high for chicks so it's not good to feed them layer, but they won't get enough in a day to cause problems. I've fed mine scrambled eggs when I had an early hatch and (bad me!) forgotten to get starter the week before when I was at the feed store.

I've got to ask--how is it that you came home to chicks in the coop? Are they just running around in there or do you have a brooder with heat lamp all set up in there already?

ETA: OOps, missed the ? about crushed layer. I'd do it if I didn't have any eggs to feed them, but the aside from the high calcium layer is lower in protien then growing chicks need--again, prob. not a big deal for a day, but if you can I'd still scramble them up and egg or two to go with it.

 

[ChickyLaura]

Or did you have a broody hen?! Congrats!

 

[50-45-1]

i second on the hard boiled eggs, but i would hard boil them then just crush up the yolk to feed them.
it is what nature intended for chick to start out on, and will be much better for them than the egg mash which is the wrong formula.
congrats on the chicks!