Newly hatched chick - should I worry about this?

[keyt1969]

I'm new at hatching chicks. My first one hatched tonight but I'm wondering if I should worry about something

Looks like its leg is caught up! Will that go away?

 

[mlward]

Good question. As I am also new to hatching (my first one has just pipped this morning), I have no clue. Maybe it's one of those things that get absorbed? I hope...

 

[SarahIrl]

The bulge you see there is it's barely absorbed yolk sac. Don't worry, just leave it in the incubator until it is able to remain upright. Give it a good 12 hours. The first chicks to hatch are normally a bit weaker to begin with, the middle lot to hatch are stronger right away and the last few tend to be very tired. It's perfectly normal and it has done all the hard work itself so just give it time to chill out, dry off and fluff up a bit. By the third or fourth chick you'll notice they get much stronger quicker!

 

[keyt1969]

Thanks. It's leg is fine now but 15 hours after it's hatch it isn't standing yet. I hope it's ok!