Feeding baby chicks

Just curious what folks have to say about feeding baby chicks when raised by a hen. Books and the general store will say not to feed anything but baby chick feed and not to give grit or other food for at least 2 weeks, maybe more. I don't agree with this. I haven't had the opportunity to watch chicks be brought up by a hen but soon hope this is a regular occurrence as next spring an order for straight run will go in.

My birds are completely free and have access to compost and I am thinking of letting the luck hen and chicks to have range in some of the garden. I could never comply with the "rules" nor do I think it is natural.

How is this working out in your home?

I've raised them all different kinds of ways, unless your raising meat birds I doubt you'll see much of a difference. If I had it my way I'd let the hens raise all of the babies, it's way easier on me and it seems to me if you'll let the hen raise the babies free range they will be better foragers as adults.