Umbilical cord? Pic included...what should I do?

[Irajoe]

Thanks for your reviewing this post. Hopefully I've placed it in the correct forum.

Our last chick to hatch appears to have the umbilical cord still attached. I've attached a photo for your assistance in determining if this is what it is...it's attached at its belly.

What should I do? Can I clip it?

They're all in the brooder now. The other chicks want to peck at it.

Thanks so much for your input!

 

[tonini3059]

Is it dried up or wet? I think if it is dry you could clip it, i am not sure I did it with one of my chicks and it was fine.

 

[Mahonri]

Wait till it's dry and don't cut too close.. May need to isolate from the other chicks for a day or two with a stuffed animal.

 

[Irajoe]

For it's safety, should I put it back in the incubator overnight? I'm not sure how else I'd isolate it and still keep it warm. I have 5 eggs in the incubator that are at 23 days...plenty of room for the little fellow.

After its taste of freedom in the incubator, I'm guessing that'd be quite a shock to it.

I know that it has had both food and water in the brooder. But it is definitely the quietest and sleepiest of any of the chicks.

 

[Irajoe]

I think I'll try to cut the umbilical cord to see if that helps. I just don't have the experience to define whether it is wet or dry...it's probably in-between.

Do you think I should keep it in the incubator overnight or place it in a box near the light in the brooder (with water and food).

Thanks for your advise.

 

[TheNewMrsEvans]

it will turn "jerky" like and then trim it about 1/2" away from the belly...should dry up and fall off like a scab in a few days. I've gotten one like that from the feedstore and that's all I did. you just don't want the others to pull it or peck it. Can you set her up in a small rubbermaid box with a 40W light over one end for a few days? Just give her a shallow water dish/lid and food...

 

[Irajoe]

Sure grateful for the responses. I cut the cord...it didn't bleed nor cause any noticable pain for the chick. However, it was weak and nature took its course last night. We buried it this morning.

Now, we're celebrating 12 healthy chicks running all around the brooder!

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Sorry

It probably didn't absorb all of the yolk and that nasty thing is what was left.

 

[cmom]

Sorry about your loss but congratulations on the rest.

 

[jcs89115]

Thank you for posting this...my "lil bit" top hat has that...I thought i royally screwed up cleaning her pasty butt...i felt horrible...now I know what it is..thank you so much