Broody hen's eggs hatching - 2 have died - "mushy chick disease"?

[magistradomina]

14 eggs under 7 1/2 month old Australorp, her (and ours!) first hatch. As of 6 pm, 7 had hatched. 5 seem fine, but 2 of them had "yolky" abdomens and subsequently died; bodies disposed of. We have a 2.5 ft by 4 ft wooden box fitted with a hardware cloth lid for a brooder box. Inside it is a cardboard box with the actual nest. All of this is outside under a carport, and Nellie has been doing a great job. We have just been letting her do her thing, but if this is omphalitis, wondering what we should do sanitation wise. Should we move them all to clean quarters, and if so, now or after the hatch? (Today was day 21) Any other suggestions? Really hope to have some survivors.

 

[babsbag]

I will tell you right now that I am a newbie to all things chicken. But after reading online about mushy chick disease it seems that it is more common in an incubator and not from a broody. The infection occurs at the time of hatching or shortly there after, (like navel ill in goats). I don't see how it could kill them that quickly, but that is just my understanding of what I have read. Hopefully someone with some more experience will help you.

There is a lot of information about this infection available online. The more you read, the more you will think that you don't have it.

Good luck, I hope it turns out ok, and I am sorry about the ones you have lost.