Chick hatched still attached to umbilical cord? HELP!

I don't know if chicks even have umbilical cords, but there is a strong string, looks yolky with a red line guessing some sort of vein. It is coming out of the chicks stomach and attached to a hunk of yellow yolk still stuck to the shell.
The chick is breathing, but can't really move around. Every time it tries the umbilical cord pulls and it falls down, tripping over the shell.
I know you're not supposed to open on lockdown, but I only have 2 eggs left that haven't hatched.
Do I open it up and cut it?
I don't want to make it worse, but he seems like he's really struggling.
I've never seen anything like it before.

THANKS!

They will snatch it loose on their own, don't worry about it. I had quite a few that took longer then others and some right off it came.

I even had one it came off egg side and was still attached to belly other chicks thought it was a worm I guess but it came off in a few days. Didn't want it to bleed if I cut it so I left it alone.

Okay, thanks!

I called it umbilical cord also, had babies and they cause bleeding if not clamped so i decided to leave it and let all the blood to dry on its own, all I could think to do and my chicks did good. And im glad I could finally give my experience to someone cause im so new and have had so many questions. This site is awesome so many people that will help. Good luck with chicks they have been a joy for me

How are the babies doing?

Two were murdered by homicidal lavender orpingtons!!!
They all made it to the brooder and when I checked back I found my 2 marans facedown in the waterer with the lavs standing on the back of their heads!
But the rest are all doing well. All the eggs that are hatching have hatched and after my 2 unfortunate losses, my total count is 18.
Now fingers crossed most are girls!!!

Im so sorry that happened bad chicken. Gonna try to send girlie vibes your way lol. Just keep an eye on the bad birdie and hope all goes well and soon to see pictures.

I just had a chick hatch with the "cord" still visible so I am very thankful for this thread!

I had my second chick hatch 30 minutes ago with assistance. He/she had the cord still attached. It kept pulling away from it. When there was only one red string attached, I cut it. I then applied pressure to its little bottom. So far, so good.

Here he/she is:


First chick arrived two days ago. Had to Assist hatching. It's inner membrane was dry. After viewing as many threads on BYC and the links that were suggested to view outside this website, I was able to assist this little Bantam chit without any problem. It is 48 hours later and he/she is doing fine.


I started with 12 eggs. I had 3 live. The third chic died right before the second chic hatched. Have no idea why.

I did this incubation in a box with a utility light. I knew ABSOLUTELY NOTHING about hatching chicks. After reading so much information on this website, I learned quickly how SO MANY things can go wrong!

I have found a new hobby. I have fallen LOVE with hatching chicks. Now I have to learn to raise them. I didn't think that far ahead because I live in a subdivision and don't know how we'll this will go over with the Homeowner's Association. LOL

Thank you all for this website. I wouldn't have been able to do this if it were not for everyone on this site. From now on since I have learned how to post, I will start asking questions as I proceed with my new hobby!