Also known as mushy chick disease or yolk sack infection, omphalitis is a common cause of death in chicks during the first week of life and most common with artificially hatched chicks. It is a bacterial infection of the yolk sac. Various bacteria may be involved in yolk sack infection, E.coli, Staphylococci, Proteus, Clostridia, fecalis and Pseudomonas.

Understanding the yolk sack

Growth of newly hatched chicks begins in the small fertilized area at the top of the yolk. A network of blood vessels begins to develop spreading from the embryo out over the yolk.

The yolk sac is attached to the chick’s navel and the chick draws nourishment from it, producing an enzyme that changes the yolk material so that it can be used as a food by the developing embryo.

As the chick hatches any remaining unused yolk is drawn into the chick’s abdomen or “navel”.  It will supply nourishment for the chicks first few days after hatching.

Causes

Egg & Embryo

Omphalitis may be caused by a bacterium that enters through the porous egg shell. Unfortunately, incubation conditions are ideal for breeding bacteria as well as incubating eggs. BEWARE the egg that explodes in the hatching tray! This easily contaminates other eggs.

As the chick is hatching its exposed umbilicus (navel) can easily be infected by bacteria. More susceptible are those newly hatched chicks resting on dirty eggs, un-sanitized incubators, and also with assisted hatching.  A chick removed from the incubator prior to complete healing of the navel is also giving a chance of infection in the brooder.

Stopping chicken disease that is every poultry farmer’s worst nightmare

Symptoms

The chicks become lethargic and die quickly either during incubation or after hatching, with most dying within 48 hours from the infection. Symptoms may VARY depending on bacteria and can include poorly healed, open navels or enlarged navels, subcutaneous edema (large fluid volume in the abdomen), bluish color of the abdominal muscles and often unabsorbed yolk materials that could even smell putrid.

Often yolks are ruptured and peritonitis (inflammation of the inner wall of the abdomen) is common.  Chicks have little interest in food and water and are attracted to heat.  Mortality often begins at hatching and can continue for 10/14 more days.

Treatments

There is no specific treatment for omphalitis. Most affected birds die.

Prevention is the best method.

A few suggestions for treatment are to clean the navel area with iodine several times a day. I have also used Veterycin gel spray.  Freshen up water with multi vitamins or Save-A-Chick daily.

Watch brooder temperatures as chilling & overheating may increase losses at this stage. Isolate chick from others to prevent spread of bacteria and avoid pecking injuries.

Keep the brooder as clean and fresh as possible.  Keep in mind that it may be wiser to humanely destroy the more severely affected chicks.

Prevention

The disease is prevented by careful control of temperature, humidity, and sanitation in the incubator and Hen House! Keep the Coop and nesting boxes clean and dry.  Set only fresh, clean, non-porous and uncracked eggs.

If it is necessary to set dirty eggs, they should be kept away from clean eggs. Gentle sanitizers are available for cleaning dirty eggs.  Always wash hands, especially when turning! ALWAYS disinfect incubators and equipment before AND after use!