HELP ! Should I feed chicks

[bubbles]

hi I have 2 chicks 9 days and 3 days old. 
The mum and dad started fighting today for some reason all was fine yesterday but today we noticed the hen was out quite a bit so we kept a close eye on them.  It looked like he wasn't allowing her in to tend to chicks, to the point it looked like he was guarding entrance and if she went near they were fighting.  It seemed to be getting quite vicious so we unfortunately moved him into another cage but kept the cages close together, but even though she's popping into the nest every now and then it isn't for any significant amount of time.  Their crops seem to be empty to me they cry and she goes in has a look and comes out again.  She sat on them for no more than about 2 minutes to my knowledge.  My question is how long before I should step in. What should I feed if I do. Someone said I could give baby formula ( organic)  until my vet opens.  Help please  please please 

[Hezz]

You need to get hand-raising formula especially made for birds. Human baby food would do at a pinch but is not the optimum feed for young chicks - it is formulated for young humans, not birds. Any decent pet store will have this, but feeding formula to a very young chick needs to be done properly. I've not had to do so myself; I know the formula needs to be the right consistency and right temperature. Too thick, the chick can't digest it; too hot can burn their crop.

I would reach out to any breeders you might have in your area. These are people who most likely will have had to deal with this scenario and will be able to guide you through.

[bubbles]

Thank you. I know human baby food is for human babies i was just asking if it could be used in emergency until my vet open tomorrow. No worries though, thanks anyway

[Marianne Marlow]

Hezz did say that the baby food would do at a pinch, she means until something else is available.

How are the chicks now?

[bubbles]

Hi i know she did, I wasn't being rude honestly its just the petstore and my vets were closed and the youngest looked so emaciated/lethargic. They were also freezing and little one wasn't moving.I was worried that if I stepped in to soon the mum would abandon nest altogether and I know they stand more chance if I don't. But considering their condition i made a firm decision that I would step in to help her out. As we have young baby in the house we had some organic food pouches. I read the packet and ingredients stated 50% peas, 50% water, 0 other stuff. So i went ahead to hopefully get them through the night until vets open. It seems to have done the trick. Vet says they both look well but little one is a bit small for age. I also bought some mix for them in case. But when I got up this morning mum is actually paying more attention. Vet says she may have been in a bit of shock after what happened with the male. Thank you to both i think I was panicking a bit sorry...

[bubbles]

I also shelled and softened some millet into the food for the older one. That in itself was like performing delicate surgery.. the bigger one was harder to feed as well  

[Marianne Marlow]

Can't blame you for panicking. I'm glad they have picked up a bit.
I'm guessing those were ellas kitchen sachets, I have a 16 month old so I know them well (although she doesn't like peas)

[bubbles]

Yes they were. Our little one doesn't like the veggie ones either hence why we had surplus thank god

[Hezz]

So glad for you and the chicks that Mum has gotten over her shock and getting back to doing what she (should) do best - feed her chicks. Not surprising that you were concerned with the littlest one only a few days old, and nothing to apologize for.

I'm guessing this is her first clutch? So not an experienced hen? I would then most definitely monitor the nest situation in case she has a little panic and forgets what she is supposed to be doing, again. Once the chicks are older and out of this delicate "newborne" stage, you may be able to reintroduce the male back into the fold to help with the feeding, teaching the chicks to crack seed, etc, but that's a call you would have to make at the time and keep watch on his every move for a while, maybe allow him in during the day when you can watch over, and separate at night when you can't.