bloody navel newly hatched

[Jstfixit101]

Hello. This is not my first hatching with an incubator but I am by far no expert. I know just enough to get me in trouble. I have a silkie that hatched about 3 hrs ago and noticed that she has a bloody navel. Today is day 20 3/4 also she did not pip out she is extra large and just popped the cap off the shell more or less just forced her way out without all the work I guess. Anyway I noticed her umbilical cord came right off after she came out of the shell and rolled around a couple times. Waited to see if it would stop in a min or so but has been a couple hrs. It is not excessive bleeding but any bleeding for a chick is a concern. I have a few other eggs that are pipped one that has been since yesterday and really do not want to open the incubator unless I need to. On the fence about helping the one that has been hatching for 24hrs but decided to leave it since the cap is about half broken through. Any information or advice would be much appreciated. Thank you

 

[Grub Digger]

If you have a spray bottle you could mist the incubator to keep the humidity up while you rescue your silkie. You could put betadine and neosporin without the pain reliever on the chicks navel to prevent infection. Has the 24hr egg been slowly making progress or has it been quiet for a while?

 

[Jstfixit101]

I just went to check on the chick that was bleeding from the navel she/he has stopped bleeding. Never had a chick basically just force their way out of the shell that was a new one. I just assumed came out of shell to fast and needed that extra time to absorb everything during pipping. Since did not that is why it happened I guess anyway important thing has stopped bleeding. The chick that has been pipped for 24hrs has made progress the cap is about 3/4 the way done but I have noticed she/he has slowed down today but she/he worked hard all night to so could be just taking a break. I was going to give them this evening and if not out was going to think hard if wanted to help them out late tonight. Technically still on day 20 though think about 9pm is the start of day 21 for them.

 

[Grub Digger]

Sounds like the rest are good. You're doing great! Be patient and give them a bit more time, maybe midday tomorrow?

 

[Jstfixit101]

Just wanted to take the time and update you I decided to pull chick out last night and free her from the shell. The membrane had dried since she had been working so long. I did not expect her to survive the night she looked really really bad last night. But she has done a complete 180 and is as active to be expected. The one that was bleeding no issues either. I do want to say thank you for taking the time to reply to my post. Have a great day!

 

[Grub Digger]

I'm glad all is well with your new babies! Congratulations!

 

[Jstfixit101]

If you don't mind would like to ask you an unrelated question. After chicks hatch in the incubator and they are running and knocking the eggs all around is there any concern should have regarding the eggs rolling over. The last couple batches I have done I have had too many eggs not hatch and just assumed that has been my problem. I just did not know if say the eggs are knocked and rolled if say the chick inside suffocate. Thanks or taking the time reply

 

[Grub Digger]

If you don't incubate with an egg turner you could incubate with the eggs in a carton, it helps contain them so they can't be too violent with the other eggs. Or if you see some of your chicks hatch out while there are no pips in the rest of the eggs you could quickly grab them and put them in the brooder. I've had a couple I've suspected were killed during a rough game of chick soccer, and other times 100% despite soccer. Sometimes chicks don't hatch because of low energy or poor genetics or it's just the wrong time of the year. I seem to have the worst hatches in winter and the best spring, they just seem to have more vigor.

 

[Jstfixit101]

If you don't incubate with an egg turner you could incubate with the eggs in a carton, it helps contain them so they can't be too violent with the other eggs. Or if you see some of your chicks hatch out while there are no pips in the rest of the eggs you could quickly grab them and put them in the brooder. I've had a couple I've suspected were killed during a rough game of chick soccer, and other times 100% despite soccer. Sometimes chicks don't hatch because of low energy or poor genetics or it's just the wrong time of the year. I seem to have the worst hatches in winter and the best spring, they just seem to have more vigor.

Ok I have always taken the approach hands off after day 18 because that is what the internet has said. I only been doing the incubator stuff about a year so like I said I am no expert I know just enough to get me in trouble. Yes I do have an egg turner. I told my wife the next batch I was going to pull the chicks when they hatch this time so not to disturb the other eggs. I have read about the egg carton approach but no I have not tried it. I just pull the turner out on day 18 and lay the eggs down and when chicks hatch just leave them in. I getting ready to do ducks today and next week more chickens I will try pulling them out when they hatch so they don't go bowling with the other eggs. This will be my first time doing ducks though so will see how that turns out . Appreciate you taking the time to reply.

 

[Grub Digger]

I also am no expert and am just sharing with you what I've learned in the last couple of years. Try the egg cartons first so you don't have complications from temp/humidity drops. I'm really surprised no one else has chimed in on this thread, lol. I've never hatched ducks so I wouldn't be much help there. Hands off after day 18 is the best approach, I agree, but sometimes that can't be helped.