HELP... day old chick with odd protrusions

[mischke]

This day old has matching protrusions on either side of her vent. No pasty butt. Vent seems clear. She has been moved away from the other babies as

I have never seen this before and picking will probably be inevitable. I have raised over 200 chickens. Any ideas?

• mischke
• Jun 6, 2013

 

[danceswithronin]

Huh. Almost looks almost like a second set of legs that partially developed or something to me.

 

[mischke]

It is so weird. She is acting normal and is upset to be alone. I was thinking to blu-kote her and put her back. I am hoping someone else has seen this.

 

[danceswithronin]

Maybe some Peck-No-More over the Blu-Kote too, I had a vent-pecking issue with my young chicks last year until I figured out they needed lower temps and more stimulation, and apparently that stuff tastes terrible because it cured the pecking issue overnight. I also introduced more protein into their diet in the form of small crickets and things like that, which I think helped.

 

[mischke]

I have peck no more too. I have not seen any picking yet but she seems vulnerable from both sides. My main concern is that it is not the vent. I ordered a few chicks from a hatchery and they came in at 630 am eastern time. I checked each one for pasty butt and a general once over before introduced to the brooder. It is possible I just took a quick glance and missed the oblivious because I was looking for normal issues.

 

[chickens really]

I wouldn't put anything on it. It could trigger them to peck it. Keep an eye on it to make sure they don't peck it. I've never seen that before either..

 

[Eggcessive]

I would return her to the other chicks and watch for any pecking. If you are using a red heatlamp, the red color can help prevent pecking. But raise the lamp high enough to prevent overheating and use a thermometer under the lamp on the floor.

 

[mischke]

Thanks. I put her back late last night because she seems fine otherwise. I have noticed that like the picture, her bottom is always wet. It seems like whatever it is is weeping clear fluid.

 

[nightowl223]

Thanks. I put her back late last night because she seems fine otherwise. I have noticed that like the picture, her bottom is always wet. It seems like whatever it is is weeping clear fluid.

Personally, I would wipe it as dry as possible, blu-kote it, then put the anti-pecking stuff on once the blu-kote dries enough to stay. Whatever it is, it needs protected from infection (so, the blu-kote) and pecking (which both the blu-kote and the anti-pecking stuff would do), so you don't end up with an even worse issue, like a pecking injury or a nasty infection moving in and taking her down.

It looks like it could possibly be a double hernia, though I've never seen a chick with one. Have you tried (with extra-scrubbed fingers, of course) to push the reddish protrusions inside? If they move, I would almost certainly think they are hernias. In which case, you need to keep trying to push them in until the area starts to heal up and they stay inside by themselves.

 

[Eggcessive]

Povidone iodine ( Betadine) alao called Equate First Aid Antiseptic at Walmart in the first aid aisle would be a good antiseptic and could help to dry it out. Is there blistering under the lesions? Hopefully, others will share if they have seen this deformity before.