baby chicks don't seem to be eating

[herefordlovinglady]

Good morning all. I have 9 baby chicks that showed up with one of our hens (all our chickens are free range) but since there was a wild cat about i felt i better put mom and babies in a pen. I bought the starter feed and they just do not seem to be eating it. the only feed in the pen right now is some cabbage, a little scratch for mom and the grower. i am worried about mom not getting enough and wonder too why the babies don't seem to eat. They seem healthy and i know they are getting bugs from the pen, but in time that will run out i am sure.

 

[Olive Hill]

How long have they been penned? How much feed did you put out? With just momma and the little ones they probably aren't going to eat a lot -- so if you put out a good amount you may just not be noticing much of a difference right away. And with momma used to free ranging it'll likely take her a couple days to choose to really fill up on the feed rather than looking for her own.