Day Old Chick - Yellow 'Growth'?

[newchickychick]

I will feel so silly if it's something very obvious/not an issue, but I'd rather be sure. TSC and Hoover's Hatchery both assured me it sounded like it was not contagious/would resolve itself, but I'd feel at better peace of mind if some chick-experienced eyes were laid on the chick to assure me of it. My first concern is if it is potentially contagious, as I would want to quarantine stat.

The chick is hydrating (we've got electrolytes in the water!), eating (Purina Healthy Chick feed), and running around like the others. I have seen no behavioral differences in this chick. They just arrived this morning. I'm a first time chicken... parent? So I want to be assured best as possible it won't be something that could harm the rest of the babies.

Another chick of similar coloration has a yellow spot as such in the same area, but it is FAR less pronounced. It's barely noticeable on the other. On this one, it's quite pronounced. It doesn't seem to hurt the chick when I press gently on the area - it is a little firm but not outrageously hard.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It looks like it’s just missing some black down feathering on the crop.

 

[newchickychick]

It looks like it’s just missing some black down feathering on the crop.

That's what they had mentioned at TSC, but I wanted to make 100% sure. It's quite large but I don't know how much they'd eaten before they'd gotten to me. Boy will I feel silly if that's all it is, but so relieved! I appreciate the quick reply so much. I'm probably being a "hover parent" with these babies, but they're our first and even with as much research as I've done, it still feels like it's not enough.

 

[casportpony]

Welcome to BYC. I agree. It looks like feathers are missing, and its crop is full of food.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

That's what they had mentioned at TSC, but I wanted to make 100% sure. It's quite large but I don't know how much they'd eaten before they'd gotten to me. Boy will I feel silly if that's all it is, but so relieved! I appreciate the quick reply so much. I'm probably being a "hover parent" with these babies, but they're our first and even with as much research as I've done, it still feels like it's not enough.

No reason to feel silly. I am pretty sure all first time chicken owners get a little scared when they see how big their crops get.

 

[newchickychick]

Thank you for the welcome and thank you both for the reassurance! This baby's feathers did look a little thin in other spots. I'm sure the stress of shipping or being plucked at by other chicks during the process didn't help mask its... fashion statement? What a relief! I'll still keep a close eye out, as it's the smallest of the little flock, but I can breathe now knowing it isn't some disease I thought I had no knowledge of.