What would you do if you didn't have any chick starter?

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

I have chicks hatching out under a broody tomarrow and the next day, and when I went to the feed store last week they didn't have any chick starter. I have layer pellets I was wondering if I could just crunch them up and feed them that until this Friday? Or could I feed them mash? Could they eat grass? Thanks.

 

[team_realtree]

It depends on how long....i had mine eating oatmeal for 2 days til i could get to the feed store. They lived...

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Could they eat some 7 grain cereal? I don't know if I have any oatmeal.

 

[Kittymomma]

No grass. I'd go with oatmeal and scrambled eggs--if you don't have any sand or chick grit just cook the yolks, they don't need grit for that.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Quote:
If I can find some oatmeal I'll feed them that and I can scramble some eggs pretty easy. If I can't find any oatmeal, could I feed them just scrambled eggs? And what about the 7 grain cereal?

 

[Kittymomma]

Just scrambled eggs are fine, I don't know about the 7-grain cereal--is it soft like oatmeal or harder like a just add milk cereal? I'm sure they'd like it either way just make sure they have some access to sand/grit. They love,love, love the scrambled eggs though and they're high in protien etc. so as long as you have enough that should be fine until you can get to the feed store.

 

[MagsC]

Yes, scrambled eggs DO work if you are in a pinch....I fed baby button quail on that.

 

[noitulover]

i would definitely feed the eggs, because the main difference between starter and layer ration is protein percentage... i would grind up layer ration and mix with eggs cooked without any butter or oil...

i wouldn't do this for more than two days though... they really need the well balanced chick starter...

i konw it is expensive, but you can always buy chick starter online and over night it...

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

So scrambled eggs .. okay got it!

The chicks will have chick starter this Friday so it'll only be like 2 days. ( If they even hatch! )
So just get some sand and give it to them in a jar lid or something?

 

[KKatknap]

If they are just eating eggs, I wouldn't worry about grit.

Good luck on your hatch!