Bald/bare area on new chick?

[HedgehogRN]

I received some chicks in the mail today, they're 3 days old. One of them has a very obvious bald area in the right side of her neck. It also looks kind of swollen. It's kind of yellowish but not bloody, and there's no obvious injury.

I didn't notice it when I unpacked them a couple hours ago.

She's eating and drinking fine, exploring the brooder and then passing out for awhile. She's one of the smallest chicks and seems to get stepped on a lot. I've seen a few of the other chicks pecking at her in general, but not at that spot and no more than any of the others are getting pecked.

Any ideas what it is?

Should I put some Vetericyn or salve on it?

It was really hard to get a picture, this is the best I could do...

 

[Eggcessive]

If it feels like a bubble or air under the skin, it could be a leaking or ruptured air sac from being bumped. If it is not air under the skin, it may be not yet feathered. Chicken have a number of air sacs throughout the head and body, and if they get bumped or hurt, they can swell. Unless she has trouble breathing, leave it alone. The air will be reabsorbed into the body. If it gets huge or she is in distress, and it is an air sac issue, you can insert a needle into the skin and pull out the air with a syringe.

 

[HedgehogRN]

If it feels like a bubble or air under the skin, it could be a leaking or ruptured air sac from being bumped. If it is not air under the skin, it may be not yet feathered. Chicken have a number of air sacs throughout the head and body, and if they get bumped or hurt, they can swell. Unless she has trouble breathing, leave it alone. The air will be reabsorbed into the body. If it gets huge or she is in distress, and it is an air sac issue, you can insert a needle into the skin and pull out the air with a syringe.

Thank you. I haven't come across air sacks leaking in my reading, so I'll look into that. I appreciate it.