What to do?

[Juniper80]

 

[CoopCrazyLady]

Malformation ...it can happen sometimes if the temp in your incubator dosen't stay perfect ( no worries it happens) You need to cull this one. Very sorry <3

 

[Juniper80]

I'm trying not to give up hope yet - I hear they sometimes will finish absorbing the yolk sac after hatching when left quietly in the incubator and that the umbilical cord will dry up and fall off.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

I'm trying not to give up hope yet - I hear they sometimes will finish absorbing the yolk sac after hatching when left quietly in the incubator and that the umbilical cord will dry up and fall off.

Do NOT cull it! It is not a malformation!

 

[AmyLynn2374]

This was my "problem child" from my last hatch. I did exactly what I told you to do on the other thread and he/she is a perfectly healthy little Spitz. As long as the yolk does not rupture he should absorb it. The egg goo/"cord" can be delt with after. It is not attatched to the vascular system and as long as it doesn't get pulled on it's not a big deal. You want that yolk to absorb first before you mess with it because if you try to take care of the cord you could rupture the yolk.

 

[CassiasChickens]

Ive had chicks hatch like this one, after research I found out it was Mushy Chick disease. Hope it isn't the case.

 

[AmyLynn2374]

Really??? It's UNABSORBED YOLK with the "membrane/egg goo attatched. That's it. It happens. It has a good chance of survival providing the yolk does not rupture.

This is "mushy chick" : https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mushy-chick-disease-yolk-sack-infection-omphalitis

 

[CassiasChickens]

My chicks resembled this one. I lost several, two absorbed the yolk, but only made it a week.

 

[lazy gardener]

Mushy chick IMO looks different than what is being presented in this pic. I agree. Give that chick a fighting chance. In a commercial or breeding flock, this chick would be relegated to the trash bin. For the BYC flock, with less than ideal hatching situations, IMO we owe it to these little ones to give them some extra time. If it needs to be culled after some TLC, so be it. But for now, give it some heat, alone time, and time to absorb.

 

[WalnutHill]

Agreed. This is not "mushy chick". Once you see that, you will never forget the smell.

This chick kicked out a little early. As the yolk is absorbed it will probably end up with a black knot at the navel. This should be absorbed or drop off with no ill effects.

Once the leftover membrane starts drying out, if it doesn't fall off, it can be snipped closer to the yolk remnants. I've "diapered" chicks that hatched like this to keep them from dragging bottom, but it's usually easier to plant them butt first in a deep coffee mug.