Flockkeeper262
In the Brooder
- Mar 9, 2026
- 9
- 11
- 18
Three weeks ago (to the day), we had our first batch hatch. All who hatched were healthy and did so without needing any assistance except one silkie.
He/she was shrink wrapped and malpositioned, and once out, was slightly splay legged and needed a little help. He’s now normal and running around with the others. He had no hernias/other issues/etc.
Today, we were moving them from their outdoor brooder (which has its own heat plate and it was 85° where I’m at today) back to the indoor, and my husband noticed what looked like pasty butt, but lower.
To be honest, I’m not sure how long it’s been there, but I handle the chicks daily and I’ve never noticed it. I know for certain it was not there during its first week, as I was taping his/her legs and checking every few hours during the day. It looks like a massive (up to .5”)blackhead/scab where the umbilical cord was. It’s red around the edges, but not leaking, stinky, and doesn’t seem to bother the chick. None of the others have anything abnormal.
The chick is still in good spirits, eating, drinking, running, and playing with its siblings.
The only thing I can think of is Omphalitis, but from what I can remember it causes fatalities pretty quickly and also causes lethargy and lack of appetite. So far, this chick is normal and healthy (aside from needing a bit of help in the beginning).
Does anyone have any other ideas on what this could be? Maybe an infected feather follicle? Apologies for lack of pictures, but imagine a huge blackhead around the navel area, and that’s exactly it.
I’m not sure if the best case of action is to leave it alone and hope it resolves, spot treat with antibiotics, or attempt to get the infection out. I know culling can be recommended for Omphalitis but I’d rather not cull a chick that is acting happy and healthy.
If anyone has any help, insight, or similar stories I’d be very grateful!
He/she was shrink wrapped and malpositioned, and once out, was slightly splay legged and needed a little help. He’s now normal and running around with the others. He had no hernias/other issues/etc.
Today, we were moving them from their outdoor brooder (which has its own heat plate and it was 85° where I’m at today) back to the indoor, and my husband noticed what looked like pasty butt, but lower.
To be honest, I’m not sure how long it’s been there, but I handle the chicks daily and I’ve never noticed it. I know for certain it was not there during its first week, as I was taping his/her legs and checking every few hours during the day. It looks like a massive (up to .5”)blackhead/scab where the umbilical cord was. It’s red around the edges, but not leaking, stinky, and doesn’t seem to bother the chick. None of the others have anything abnormal.
The chick is still in good spirits, eating, drinking, running, and playing with its siblings.
The only thing I can think of is Omphalitis, but from what I can remember it causes fatalities pretty quickly and also causes lethargy and lack of appetite. So far, this chick is normal and healthy (aside from needing a bit of help in the beginning).
Does anyone have any other ideas on what this could be? Maybe an infected feather follicle? Apologies for lack of pictures, but imagine a huge blackhead around the navel area, and that’s exactly it.
I’m not sure if the best case of action is to leave it alone and hope it resolves, spot treat with antibiotics, or attempt to get the infection out. I know culling can be recommended for Omphalitis but I’d rather not cull a chick that is acting happy and healthy.
If anyone has any help, insight, or similar stories I’d be very grateful!
