Chick with large "bubble" on his tummy- please advise how I can help him

[bethrs78]

I'm a kindergarten teacher and this is only the third consecutive spring I've incubated and hatched eggs in my classroom, so I'm admittedly still a novice. I've lurked on BYC and gotten some good tips though! I use a styrofoam incubator and an automatic egg turner, if that matters.

This chick hatched in the early evening of day 22. I noticed when he (she?) hatched that he looked like he had yolky stuff dragging from his belly, so I left him in the incubator overnight to dry out. When I came in this morning, he had a pinkish brownish bubble on his tummy. This morning the bubble was soft and felt like skin, but now in the evening it feels firmer to the touch. He seems to get around ok with this thing hanging from his tummy, but I can't imagine that it feels very good. The chick is somewhat less active than the others, but I've been trying to make sure he's eating and drinking. I also, after reading another thread, gave him a little smidge of sugar water.

From reading some other threads, I was guessing maybe this was an un-absorbed yolk sac, but I really don't know.

What is this, and is there anything I can do to help him? What are his chances of making it? Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.

 

[bethrs78]

Thought I would add... a couple of other people I know who have chickens suggested maybe it is a prolapsed vent rather than un-absorbed yolk sac. Not sure, but didn't know if it would be worth mentioning.

 

[ChickenGirl23]

How is the chick now?

 

[bethrs78]

He's still alive, and eating and drinking a little better. He seems to have a little more energy too. The bubble on his tummy is definitely firmer, almost hard to the touch, but still the same size, shape, and color.