Umbilical Cord attached to egg

[Freya]

The umbilical cord is still attached to the egg after 2 hours of hatch. Can I remove the cord from the shell or leave it. Poor chick is dragging around more than half the egg shell and is exhausted.

 

[Runner Bean]

I am sure by now the crisis is over but in future just look to see that the cord is dry. This usually does not take too long. It can then be safely snipped with a clean pair of nail scissors. Try and make the cut a half inch or so away from the chick and you will be fine.

I always keep some of that stryptic powder people buy to stop their dogs nails from bleeding if you cut them too short. It can always be applied safely to any cord stump on a chick that keeps bleeding. Sometimes they kick the shell away vigorously and if the cord is a bit soggy this can lead to some bleeding. Just apply the powder with a Q tip ( if the bleeding is persistent I apply a bit of gentle pressure for a minute or to as well ) and this should fix it.

 

[Freya]

Thank you for the info and yes, it did finally fall off.