Starter feed for chicks?

[MareeZoCool]

My hen is broody! she's been setting on her clutch of 4 eggs since April 1. I've been told(by neighbors & friends) that since the momma hen is raising her new-hatchlings, I do NOT need to supply these chicks with starter feed. These people claim momma hen will teach the peeps how and where to find food, that she will feed them bugs & whatever they need she finds for them.
My Husband and I find this hard to believe, since we raised 6 peeps last summer, and they thrived on the starter feed. Should we buy a bag of chick starter feed and place a feeder for those expected chicks in her pen?

 

[Ridgerunner]

What is your set-up? Will you allow your hen to take her chicks out with all the space she needs for them to find green stuff, seeds, creepy crawlies, and grit or do you keep them penned in a bare pen? I keep mine penned up because they will not stay out of the road. I have to provide starter. If I could let Mama raise her chicks without them being penned up, I would not provide starter.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Thanks, ridgerunner. Yes, my pen has plenty of fresh feild hay, and we open the pen daily for free-range from 10 AM 'till dusk. My property gives the chickens a minimum of 5 acres ranging space.we're on 45-50 acres. 5 acres near our house is the area we keep mowed and clear, the rest is feilds and shrubby. Thanks, again, ridge runner! You have eased my worries.