1 week old chick with large belly

[4and20blackbrds]

any idea what this is? It’s squishy, doesn’t seem to hurt him, but he does peep all the time, so I’m not sure.

He did have a fall, and I’m wondering if that ruptured something? Maybe he peep’d himself into a hernia? Infected umbilical from scooting around before we got him?

He’s eating/drinking/etc. he did have splay leg that I corrected and is now walking fine (we got him Thursday). He’s a Sebright.

Is he doomed?

 

[coach723]

If what I circled is what you are talking about, I think that's it's crop. Some chicks eat a LOT and will have very full crops. Watch and see if it goes up and down as it eats and digests. If they are in the dark at night see if it's empty in the morning. If it's not having any other issues, it may just be a normal, albeit stuffed, crop.

 

[4and20blackbrds]

If what I circled is what you are talking about, I think that's it's crop. Some chicks eat a LOT and will have very full crops. Watch and see if it goes up and down as it eats and digests. If they are in the dark at night see if it's empty in the morning. If it's not having any other issues, it may just be a normal, albeit stuffed, crop.
View attachment 1802003

No, it’s below his ribs, definitely his belly area. I guess the photos don’t show it well.

 

[coach723]

Sorry, it is very difficult to see anything, sometimes pictures help a lot, sometimes not.
If it is omphalitis/mushy chick disease there is not much to be done, that is usually fatal within the first week. It is also possible that it's a ruptured air sac, which can make a bubble under the skin, this happens sometimes when they are injured or knocked around. Those will sometimes resolve on their own. If not, in cases where the bubble continues to grow or if there is difficulty breathing the air can be released. In an air sac rupture the bubble will be just under the skin. I simply can't see anything well enough in the pictures to tell for sure. If it seems ok otherwise I would be inclined to just keep an eye on it and see if it gets worse or better.
These links might help:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mushy-chick-disease-yolk-sack-infection-omphalitis.64686/
https://wagwalking.com/bird/condition/air-sac-rupture

 

[4and20blackbrds]

It was an unabsorbed yolk. We lost him today through culling. A very difficult decision, but ultimately the right one, I think.