Help! Newly hatched chick is bleeding!

[Jlee203]

This is my first time hatching eggs in an incubator. It is day 24 and the first egg hatched an hour ago. Since hatching, the chick has just laid there. I can see it is breathing and will move here and there. But I just noticed the paper towel it is laying on has blood on it! Should I pull the chick out to see if it's okay? Or should I just leave it in there??

 

[Titanpaul726]

I would just leave it in there. Keep an eye on things. It should start moving around after a couple of hours. If you tap the side of the incubator, do you get a reaction from it?

 

[WalnutHill]

A late chick is often a weak chick. There is nothing you can do to help, it is most likely just a little residual blood and should seal up on its own.

 

[Jlee203]

Yes, it tries to stand up when I tap on the incubator but then falls right back down. There is a blood sack hanging from it but looks like it is almost detatched.

 

[lazy gardener]

Poultry Nutri-Drench is my "go to" product for any chicks dealing with hatching or stress issues.

 

[Titanpaul726]

I'm betting the little guy will be fine. Just give him some more time to recover from hatching.

 

[Jlee203]

Thank you, so far she is still breathing so I guess I'll just be patient and wait

 

[Wishapup]

Thank you, so far she is still breathing so I guess I'll just be patient and wait

How did it turn out? I have a very similar situation. Low temps under my broody and I had to move the last egg to the incubator on day 22 with a partially opened end (very long story). It hatched with a little assistance this evening, day 24. It has lost blood in the last few days besides being late, so it is a weak chick. It chirps but it lies still with its eyes closed, with a little movement. Hoping it will survive. I'm amazed it has made it this far after a blood vessel was accidentally pierced 48 hours ago.

 

[holm25]

It is just it's ambilical cord bleeding a little. It happens to all of mine.

Good luck

 

[Wishapup]

It is just it's ambilical cord bleeding a little. It happens to all of mine.

Good luck

I've had that (usually from low temps or early hatchers) but this is loss of blood from a pierced blood vessel as well.

The veins weren't completely dried up, but it was almost day 25 and the membrane was shrinkwrapping--plus yolk was absorbed and chick was squawking loudly. So I thought it best to assist it tonight.