Help with newly hatched chick - unabsorbed yolk or hernia?

[dawnh]

This little one hatched a couple of hours ago. It was an unassisted hatch on day 20. When she first hatched, there was nothing to be seen, but as time has passed this appeared, small at first, but gradually increasing in size. What could it be? It started out pink, but is now yellow, with veins. Is there anything I can do to help? Thanks in advance

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

It looks like unabsorbed yolk. There really isn't anything you can do except hope it doesn't drag it around the incubator too much and bust it. I had one of those in my last hatch, with a yolk sac about the same size. It did snag it on the wire and tear it open, but its still doing fine. I can't even tell which chick it is now.
it'll be okay.

 

[dawnh]

Think I may have to cull the little one It keeps getting bigger every time it moves. Dreading it as it will be my first time

 

[WalnutHill]

It is an open navel, with yolk extruding. At this point the choices are cull or try to keep it from protruding more, as eventually it will push intestine out as well.

Have a surgical butterfly bandage and a tube of bacitracin or neosporin at hand. A helper will also be very handy if you can get one.

Wash your hands very well, and hold the chick comfortably and securely, Place a drop of neosporin on your index finger tip, and gently press the yolk back into the navel. Once in, gently pinch the skin surrounding the navel, and while pinching, pluck or trim a little down on both sides to clear a place for the bandage to stick. Place the butterfly bandage across the navel, securing it to the abdominal skin on both sides.

When released, the abdominal skin will hold the tension of the butterfly bandage, and will help to keep the yolk inside until it is absorbed. The navel should close once the yolk absorbs. Leave the bandage in place until it falls off.

 

[dawnh]

I culled. The poor little thing ended up being smaller than the sack Feel awful, but I know it was for the best. Thank you for all your help and advice xxx

 

[WalnutHill]

Sorry.

 

[dawnh]

Thank you

 

[RubyNala97]

It is an open navel, with yolk extruding.  At this point the choices are cull or try to keep it from protruding more, as eventually it will push intestine out as well.  

Have a surgical butterfly bandage and a tube of bacitracin or neosporin at hand.  A helper will also be very handy if you can get one.  

Wash your hands very well, and hold the chick comfortably and securely,  Place a drop of neosporin on your index finger tip, and gently press the yolk back into the navel.  Once in, gently pinch the skin surrounding the navel, and while pinching, pluck or trim a little down on both sides to clear a place for the bandage to stick.  Place the butterfly bandage across the navel, securing it to the abdominal skin on both sides.

When released, the abdominal skin will hold the tension of the butterfly bandage, and will help to keep the yolk inside until it is absorbed.  The navel should close once the yolk absorbs.  Leave the bandage in place until it falls off.

I didn't know this, Walnut. Very good to know "just incase". I will add butterfly bandages to my chick first aid kit!

 

[silkienrescues]

oh that must have been so hard, but you did the kindest thing. I'm not sure which thread it was on but i read you have about 20 minutes after hatching to push a herniating umbilicus gentle back in with a qtip soaked in betadine. In that time the muscles contract to close the opening. Just thought it might help for your next hatching, best if you recognize it straight away, the navel protrudes rather than sitting about a millimeter proud of the skin.

So much useful info on this site.

 

[gruffy]

I had one trying to hatch this morning but quit, the egg looked like it had not only pipped but was halfway through unzipping and the membrane was turning yellow like it had been drying out , I have saved a few from being stuck in the egg that looked just like this so I opened it up and the chick still had a yolk attached o.0 I put him back in the shell and set it back in the bator thinking it needed more time and keeping it in the shell would give it time to reabsorb it, but when I came back the yolk had popped and he was glued to the bottom of the bator

still alive though! I rinsed him off very carefully with warm water and put him in a cup under a light on a moist paper towel... not entirely sure what to do with him hoping he absorbs it on his own but can it still be pushed back after it had popped? or should I let it dry out and fall off?