I can only speak for myself and what makes sense to me. On their own in a mixed flock, a mother hen takes care of her chicks, leading them to choice bits of feed or bugs and the chicks thrive, no special separate feed. I kept my chicks with their adoptive Silkie mother separated from the flock until the babies were feathering out nicely and running around their pen like they needed more room. I then opened the baby chick pen to the main pen/run during the day, the mother Silkie mingled them with the bigger older hens, they all eat the same food, and at night back in their pen, the babies have the choice of their little chick starter feed with its slight medication. I decided that for eons, chicks have had access to regular chicken feed and scratch and have thrived, as I see mine doing. I worried at first, and then decided that what I'm doing is more natural, is producing good results, and is easier than trying to control what each group can consume. Best wishes with your decision--~G
