What is going on??

[JenHarmon]

Ok, so my silkie chick Pipped last night and this morning had no progress and was not chirping or moving at all. So, I got it out and opened it a bit to see that the chick was shrink wrapped. Got it taken care of, mo big deal and the yolk was all absorbed, it was able to get the last half of shell off on its own. All looked fine. I went shopping and my daughter calls and says there was blood in the incubator so I came home. It was the only chick in there. I pulled it out and it had dried blood on its belly. It is chirping and walking around but sleeping a lot. I dont see poop anywhere...is that normal? Here are pics of the underside and a pic of the chick. The siblings are all several days to a week older so im scared to put this one in with them since they are so much bigger.

 

[WVduckchick]

Is the chick ok now?

If the belly was closed up when it hatched, the stuff is probably just gunk from inside the egg. Not uncommon.

 

[MageofMist]

The chick possibly broke a blood vessel inside the egg when hatching, which caused the blood to cling to the feathers. I had a slightly bloody chick who tried to hatch out of the pointy side of the egg, but I showed her the right way with an egg candler by shining at the air sac... Didn't know they could turn so easily inside of the egg!

I have also had chicks that either pooped the moment they left the egg, soon afterwards and once pooped after a whole day after hatching. The sleeping is also probably due to recently hatching and being tired. As for the size difference... I'd add the baby in and watch to see how they respond, my silkie chicks were fine with button quail babies, who were waaay smaller.

 

[JenHarmon]

We had to keep her separate from the others because she was pretty weak and they were all pecking her. Her umbilical area wasnt fully closed so that's why she had the blood. She is doing WAY better today. We named her Sunshine lol...will try putting her with the other chicks tomorrow and see how it goes.