Surprise babies -- need help!

[raventearsx]

Went out to my coop this morning and heard peeping. Got down and looked under the coop to find one of my girls has been hiding eggs and today is hatch day -- surprise! Up to seven babies so far.

Here's where I need help. I don't have any chick starter feed and the closest feed store is 80 miles away. I'm thinking I could crush some layer pellets for them? Maybe mix in some scrambled eggs? What can I feed them until I go to town on Monday??

Thanks for any advice!

 

[CatInTheHenHouse]

My understanding is layer has too much calcium for them, but I don’t know if it will matter for a couple days’ worth of feed.

…wait, any idea how long ago they hatched? Might they still be absorbing their yolks?

 

[Squawkers]

Never feed chicks layer feed

 

[Squawkers]

If you can get them to eat it, eggs is a good idea. And yes, they don’t necessarily have to eat for a day or two after they hatch. I would try to get them to drink water as soon as possible though.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A few days of crushed layer feed will be fine, or eggs. They likely won't eat much the first couple of days. But a little extra calcium for a short period of time should not have any long term effects.

 

[raventearsx]

Thank you everyone! We managed to catch Mama and Babies under the coop and move them into the brooder box. Everyone is doing great! I gave them scrambled eggs until we got ahold of some chick starter. Mom seemed the hungriest of course! Babies are adorably copying her as she eats, learning how to chicken!

Again, thanks so much for the help! I was a bit panicked on Saturday but everyone is doing fine.

 

[ChikaInu]

Thank you everyone! We managed to catch Mama and Babies under the coop and move them into the brooder box. Everyone is doing great! I gave them scrambled eggs until we got ahold of some chick starter. Mom seemed the hungriest of course! Babies are adorably copying her as she eats, learning how to chicken!

Again, thanks so much for the help! I was a bit panicked on Saturday but everyone is doing fine.

Oh my, the cuteness!

 

[MrsMeanGreen]

How precious is that!