Help! Red blob on chicken, freshly hatched!

[Stephanie8806]

Can someone tell me what this is or what I can do??? Removed the other chick, as it was pecking at it

 

[NatJ]

The chick has not quite finished absorbing the yolk. It should fix itself within a day or so, maybe even a few hours, as long as it does not get pecked or otherwise damaged.

Since the other chick was pecking, separating them for now was a good decision.

 

[Stephanie8806]

The chick has not quite finished absorbing the yolk. It should fix itself within a day or so, maybe even a few hours, as long as it does not get pecked or otherwise damaged.

Since the other chick was pecking, separating them for now was a good decision.

Phew! Okay. Thank you. I wasn’t sure if that was the case or if it had herniated or something. Yeah the other chick hatched 24 hours ago, so it was chasing it around and most definitely would have caused damage. Other chick got taken up to our brooder to join the other chicks and our Mama hen

 

[Stephanie8806]

Update on this chick: the sack looks smaller, but as we’re at about 24 hours since hatch, I’m feeling doubtful that it will be fully absorbed. It’s hardening, do we think there’s a chance it could just dry up and fall off? I’m hoping to get this chick up with its siblings in the brooder this evening, but if this isn’t gone I’m worried the other chicks might injure this baby by pecking.

Now that it stands and walks and is fluffing out, it definitely is harder to see, but I’m just nervous. Thoughts? What would you do??

 

[NatJ]

Update on this chick: the sack looks smaller, but as we’re at about 24 hours since hatch, I’m feeling doubtful that it will be fully absorbed. It’s hardening, do we think there’s a chance it could just dry up and fall off? I’m hoping to get this chick up with its siblings in the brooder this evening, but if this isn’t gone I’m worried the other chicks might injure this baby by pecking.

Now that it stands and walks and is fluffing out, it definitely is harder to see, but I’m just nervous. Thoughts? What would you do??

If the other chicks do not peck it, I think there is a good chance it will fix itself.

You could try putting it in the brooder and watch to see whether they peck it.

If they do peck it, you could try dividing the brooder to separate it, or you could leave it in the incubator a bit longer. Up to 48 hours in the incubator after hatch should be fine, and another day after that is probably fine as well. Because the chicks absorb the yolk right before hatching, they do not really need to eat or drink in the first few days. (Eating & drinking sooner does no harm, but you do not need to worry about the chick starving if the incubator is the safest place for the it to spend another 24 hours.)

 

[Stephanie8806]

Yeah, I know it will be okay without food or water for another day-ish. And I’m sure if it doesn’t absorb, there’s a good chance it would heal over and shrivel and fall off… I did just take a closer look, and there seems to be fluid filled bubbles around the base, on the skin. It doesn’t really appear to be infected or inflamed, idk. Haven’t dealt with this particular situation in 3 years of hatching+incubation

Thank you so much for the continued help and advice!!!

 

[NatJ]

How is it doing now?