Step 1: Understanding the Concept
Ecosystems have two kinds of food chains: the grazing food chain and the detritus food chain.
They differ in the first trophic level.
Step 2: Key Point
The grazing food chain starts with living green plants (producers).
The detritus food chain starts with dead organic matter such as fallen leaves, dead animals and faeces.
Step 3: Compare the options
Decomposers and detritivores feed on this dead matter, and their energy then passes to detritivore-eating animals.
So the chain begins with dead organic matter.
Final Answer:
The detritus food chain begins with dead organic matter.
\[ \boxed{\text{(A) }\text{dead organic matter}} \]