Problem Absorbing Yolk Stalk, What to Do? Please help

[AWChickens]

I have a chick that hatched yesterday that needs help. I found a couple posts on here about chicks that didn't absorb the yolk, but those pictures are worse than what's going on with this one. It hatched last night and when I took the others out I noticed that although this chick had absorbed the yolk, it still had about 1/4 inch of red 'stalk' tailing out like an umbilical chord. After a little research I followed the recommendations to leave it in the incubator another 12-24 hours and give it a chance to fix the problem itself. This morning there is a hard, dried bit of stump pasted to the umbilical opening, keeping the hole open slightly and prone to infection. The very small bit of stalk on the outside has dried into a hard knot, even though the chick was in 60% humidity overnight. So I don't think it can be absorbed at this point, and I have NO IDEA what to do!?! I've used a cotton swab to dab with betadine.......what else can I do? I really do not want to lose this chick, I only had 3 eggs develop out of 24 shipped due to the box being damaged during shipping- and each of these 3 is so precious!

 

[becky3086]

I had one just recently that had exactly the same thing. I put it in the brooder so that part could dry and then cut it off. The chick seems fine now.

 

[AWChickens]

I was afraid I might have to do something like that, I'm so afraid to hurt the little one if I try to cut it

 

[becky3086]

So was I but mine was making my little chick spraddle legged. I cut a little bit off the end first and when it didn't bleed, I cut just a little bit more and kept going until most of it was gone.

 

[AWChickens]

Thanks for the advice, everything went well. No blleeding and it's already closing. I applied betadine one more time but it looks like it's going to be fine!