[kaz1510]

Hi all i am new to the forums and am after a little advice. This is my second batch of chicks, my first batch was fine and now hardening them off outside whilst we got some good weather. My new chicks are all in there brooder and are now 2 days old but after checking the chicks today i noticed that one little chick has a black mass on its tummy with some shell stuck to it, just wondering what you would advise me to do. I was thinking of using warm water with some disinfectant in it and try to remove it , but not sure.
Any advice would be great.

[Casey76]

Hi kaz, this will be the umbilicus, where he was attached to the yolk.

I would irrigate the area, and try to - gently - remove the piece of shell.  The rest I would leave and monitor only.

Most of the time the umbilicus heals quickly on it's own.

[kaz1510]

Thank you Casey, i will keep an eye on this one, i was a bit worried as i don't think its drank anything yet.

[Casey76]

If it is still absorbing the yolk, he won't need to eat or drink (this can be up to 72 hours after hatching). 

[kaz1510]

The area looks like its drying up with bits of dried yolk on it, i've moved the chick to another brooder as the other chicks are pecking at it. This chick is very small compared to the others, today it's drank some water but it started frothing from the beak which worried me but it shook the froth away and has suddenly got a lease of life!!