Yolk Sac Problems - Graphic Pictures

[Ms Biddy]

@casportpony I have a 2 week old chick with what I believe is an unabsorbed yolk. I first discovered it a few days ago and had been trying without luck to identify the problem until I finally found this post and another article with dissection photos on a UK site.

The chick has a firm rounded mass filling its lower abdomen. I knew this wasn't normal but couldn't find any info at first. It has been eating, drinking and eliminating but is gradually slowing down, spending more time laying and sitting. The mass is staying the same size and hardness.

I'm wondering if I should put this chick down? I can't see any positive outcome for it. It is basically living with an infection that is either going to kill it or leave it with a compromised immune system. I guess I'm looking for guidance and opinions.

 

[casportpony]

Is it the whole belly that's full? I ask because their gizzard can feel like a mass too. Can you post some belly pictures?

 

[Ms Biddy]

No, not the whole belly just a round hardened area in the lowest abdomen below the vent. It's easy to feel but hard to show although you can see the outline here.

 

[casportpony]

Could you wet the belly a little with some water then take another picture? That will give me a better idea of what the belly looks like.

 

[Ms Biddy]

Yes, I can do that later today. We're going on a TSC run.

In the meantime, here is the other necropsy photo I found. Graphic.

 

[Ms Biddy]

Let me know if this helpful. Could the smaller lump in the middle of the abdomen be the gizzard? The bigger lump at the very rear of the chick is what I'm talking about.

 

[azygous]

Extremely useful thread. Thanks, Kathy.

 

[4and20blackbrds]

Is this an infected umbilicus? Is it an unabsorbed yolk? He had splay leg that I fixed, didn’t even think about his umbilicus and brooder bacteria from when he was scooting around before we got him.

Should I cull him? He’s been eat/drinking/pooping... but he’s always under the warmer and is always chirping, even while he sleeps during the day.

 

[casportpony]

View attachment 1803637 View attachment 1803629

Is this an infected umbilicus? Is it an unabsorbed yolk? He had splay leg that I fixed, didn’t even think about his umbilicus and brooder bacteria from when he was scooting around before we got him.

Should I cull him? He’s been eat/drinking/pooping... but he’s always under the warmer and is always chirping, even while he sleeps during the day.

How old is it? What does it's poop look like?

 

[4and20blackbrds]

How old is it? What does it's poop look like?

He’s about 8-9 days old. He’s a Sebright, so very small. He was smaller than the other chicks in the brooder.

His poop looks like normal small chick poop.