Chick attached to egg shell

[Chick2018]

Hello!
I have a little chick that hatched unassisted 8 hours ago. However it seems to still be attached to the egg via the “umbilical cord”. The chick is peeping and often wanders around looking pretty strong on his feet but falls over due to dragging the egg around. I’ve included a photo because I’m not sure what the best thing is to do? Do we cut it off? Only there is another chick pipping and I don’t want to disturb that one, nor have this one pecked at once there is more chicks around.

 

[Cyprus]

You can cut it off where it is dry.

 

[Chick2018]

Better angle.

 

[Chick2018]

New chicken mum so apologies for the obvious questions. How can you tell it is dry? As you can see from the photos it is quite dark, however it definitely is a vein etc so didn’t want to risk him bleeding out.

 

[Ms Biddy]

You see where it looks thin and twisted? That would be a good place to cut for now. You can shorten it later when more is dried. It's not good to be dragging the egg around as it pulls the navel area, which is still closing. It can get tugged pretty hard if you don't remove it.

 

[Chick2018]

You see where it looks thin and twisted? That would be a good place to cut for now. You can shorten it later when more is dried. It's not good to be dragging the egg around as it pulls the navel area, which is still closing. It can get tugged pretty hard if you don't remove it.

Thanks for your advice. We’ve cut it at the darkest bit closest to the egg. Chick seems much better on his feet now and is wandering around. Doesn’t appear any blood or anything worrying but chick is now very vocal? Anything to be concerned about? Picture attached. Thankyou.

 

[Ms Biddy]

I think everything will be fine. As it dries, trim it closer so it doesn't become something other chicks will step on or pick at. I had a couple like this and they had no other complications. Of course keep them dry and clean.

 

[Chick2018]

All fell off today and chick is with his siblings happy and fluffy. Thanks so much for the advice.

 

[Ms Biddy]

Yay! Out of my 13 chicks, I had one with a mild case of pasty butt. It happened to be one of the ones that had an attached umbilical cord. I'm not sure if his imperfect hatching meant he was a little weaker in general, but he's doing fine now. Congrats on your chicks.

 

[Chick2018]

Aw! I’m glad that they’re doing well. We’re first time hatcher’s So just aware I don’t want to do anything wrong. We had nine eggs and currently have 4 big happy chicks, a little one that’s just hatched (above chick) and one more that’s just pipped. Feeling very lucky!