Chick disease

[plschick1210]

I had a chick hatch around a week ago. He had some problems with his navel area and ended up with a big scab looking thing. Well I figured it would dry up and fall off eventually. I have been keeping an eye on it and cleaning it with a q-tip. When I cleaned it just a minute ago it came off and lots of nasty smelling yellow liquid came oozing out. It was all over him and myself. I washed him off good and myself. It seems like mushy chick disease. My question is if it is mushy chick disease and that yellow liquid squirted everywhere do I have to worry about infections in myself or my other chicks? Besides that issue he is very healthy, he eats, he poops, he drinks.

 

[Eggcessive]

Are you seeing any swelling of the belly? There might have been an infection at the site that could clear with the use of some iodine or Vetericyn, but if there is swelling and the chick becomes lethargic, it would look like mushy chick disease. Wash your hands well. E.coli and staph are common causes for infection. Disinfection of incubators and not using dirty eggs before placing egg in them help prevent this. Here is a good article with pictures:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mushy-chick-disease-yolk-sack-infection-omphalitis.64686/

 

[plschick1210]

His belly was a little bigger and yellow looking through his skin. That is the same article I found after it happened. I am in the process of cleaning the brooder right now. Hopefully my other chicks do not catch anything.