help! ball of bloody skin on belly of chick

[carmel]

The chick came out of the shell this morining between 5am and 8am. it has what looks like an ambilical cord or hernia under the belly. this is my first incubated chick and i do not know if this is normal. the chick moves around a few steps and then nods off. i tried to get a picture of it but it did not come out well and i just do not want to mess with it too much. any thoughts?

 

[cocosandy]

well, youve got to wait and see if its just the yolk and umbilical cord which will resolve or a bigger problem. Try to take pics...but there isnt much to do. Chicks are fine for up to 48 hours and can stay in the incubator, so dont be in a rush to move it as long as its safe. Part of hatching is that the yolk sac gets absorbed, and sometimes it looks a little nasty. but they are always shaky to start. remember, they have been through a terrificly hard experience and are exhausted.
Just wait and see....in 24 hours or so offer it water in a shallow dish with marbles in it and some chick feed...put it in a brooder that is 100 degrees (I use a fish tank with a heat lamp on one end so they can move away if its too hot.)
Take a pic and post it...but chances are the thing will look better as the day goes on and by tonight youll be hearing loud peeping...., if you arent already;-)

 

[carmel]

Thanks for the support. I thought that maybe that was what was going on. it chirps loudly and bobbles around a secs and then lays and snoozes. it isn't walking very well but as you said it has been through a big deal. it is safe and warm and i will try to give it some water and mash later. i will try to do pics too i just did not want to handle it too much. thanks so much for your thoughts.