New chick problem

[siouxray]

We're in the middle of hatching a batch of RIRs and have a problem with one. The first one to pip took 24 hrs. to hatch and when it did, it has a swollen abdomen and seems to have an enlarged area on it's neck. It did have some slight greenish discharge when it did come out. It cheeps and moves around (eyes don't open too much though) in the incubator. Could it be an umbilical infection or something else? The 2nd one to hatch is doing wonderful and we have 2 more on the way soon with the others hopefully shortly after. Everything was cleaned properly before we put these guys in. Really worried and any help would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you!!!

 

[dlhunicorn]

...it sounds as though it may be omphalitis (your description of the swollen abdomen)... read about that further here:
http://www.canadianpoultry.ca/AviaTech Staph.pdf

 

[siouxray]

Thank you - I wondered if it might be that after reading from our I & E workshop paperwork. We just had another hatch whose yolk sac was mostly outside it's body - it burst and is just a small piece now. That one is doing ok for now. We're really thinking it's the batch of eggs that we bought!! The other hatch that we had before this one was fine. I just hope that some of them are okay & survive. Very frustrating....